Trump’s proposed name change yesterday for New Mexico — to New America — will no doubt not happen, but it would solve the old problem of some people not knowing New Mexico is part of the United States. There is an on-going column in New Mexico Magazine called One of Our 50 Is Missing.
In 2014 one example was,
DON’T ASK
At press time, the popular website ask.com offered this helpful information: “New Mexico is one of the Mexican States found in western Mexico. The state is a part of the Mountain States, and one of the most sparsely populated states. The state is called the land of enchantment because of its magnificent and attractive scenery, rich art, music, and richness of culture that are not [like] any other state in Mexico.”
It also happened to Kaitlin years ago. We were visiting my mother in California and someone noticed Kaitlin’s T-shirt and asked where she was from. She told him New Mexico, and he said,
You speak English very well.
I had expected that people would know by now, but how wrong I was. The column is still going strong.
September 7, 2026
Good grief! People still don’t know it’s a state? But I still think the name change is dumb, and confusing in other ways.
It’s amazing that they are still getting enough instances to publish 3 of them every month.
It’s amazing how little some people know. I think the idea of changing the name is totally stupid. Even changing Lake Ontario to Lake America. There are far better things he could spend his time working on that things like this.
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I love this post! I honestly thought it was a joke when you told me. That would be quite a name change!
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Funny about Kaitlin’s shirt.
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…there’s end to the stupidity!
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I am Canadian and I knew that New Mexico is one of the 50 states. And yes, he wants to rename OUR Lake Ontario Lake America. Ridiculous.
Yes.
California wants to rename the San Andreas Fault to Trump’s Fault LOL!
I hadn’t heard that.
I remember reading that feature each month! My mother and I would giggle and shake our heads at folks’ ignorance.
It’s amazing that it’s still going on.