Stop Trump’s Racist Push to Rename the Gulf of Mexico

I am writing to express my strong opposition to any attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico, a name deeply rooted in history, geography, and cultural significance. This is not just about a name change—it is part of a larger pattern of erasing history and pandering to xenophobia. Giving in to Trump’s effort to rename the Gulf would be an insult to our shared history and an open endorsement of his long-standing hostility toward Latin American and Hispanic communities. The Gulf of Mexico has carried its name for centuries, long before the founding of the United States. It was named by European explorers in the early 1500s, reflecting the geographic reality that it borders Mexico, a nation whose history is intertwined with North America. Indigenous peoples, including the Maya and the Aztecs, thrived along these waters long before European contact. The Gulf has always been a place of cultural exchange, trade, and migration—not a tool for political gamesmanship. Attempting to erase the name Gulf of Mexico is part of a larger effort to whitewash history and reject the contributions of non-European cultures. We have seen this before—whether it is the push to minimize the role of slavery in American history, the rejection of Hispanic heritage in textbooks, or now, this attack on one of the most important bodies of water in the Western Hemisphere. This is not patriotism—it is racism masquerading as nationalism. Let’s be clear: this is not about geography. This is about Trump’s long-standing hostility toward Mexico and brown-skinned people. From calling Mexican immigrants “rapists” to tearing families apart at the border to mocking Latino communities, his actions speak for themselves. Changing the name of the Gulf would be a victory for his divisive agenda, sending a message that the contributions, history, and identities of millions of people can be erased with the stroke of a pen. The Gulf of Mexico is more than just a name—it is a reflection of centuries of history, trade, and culture that define the United States and its relationship with its neighbors. To rename it would not only be historically inaccurate but would serve as yet another step toward a dangerous, exclusionary nationalism that rejects anything not deemed “American enough.” I urge you to stand against this disgraceful attempt to rewrite history and reject any effort to rename the Gulf of Mexico. It is time for leaders to take a stand against Trump’s continued assault on truth, history, and inclusivity. We must not allow our nation’s identity to be warped by one man’s racist, self-serving agenda.