Trump Proposes North American Map Changes, Announces Lawsuit Against Critics

What Happened

On September 7, 2026, former President Donald Trump posted a map on his Truth Social account that depicted the state of New Mexico renamed as "New America." This action follows earlier efforts during his current term, which began in January 2025, to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and Lake Ontario to "Lake America." The renaming of Lake Ontario occurred last month amidst escalating tensions and stalled trade talks between the United States and Canada. Trump's Truth Social post regarding New Mexico stated, "Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA. So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Concurrently, Trump announced that a major lawsuit is being prepared against an organization identified as the "Center for American Lack of Progress." This legal action stems from a report by the organization, represented by Chandler Hall, which claimed that the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and other U.S. cities had "NO impact on Crime." Trump characterized the report as a "Radical Left SCAM" and indicated he is "strongly considering adding some of the contributors to this Fake Organization," specifically naming George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Google, Apple, Visa, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Walmart, Toyota, T-Mobile, and NBC Universal. Foreign entities such as the Embassy of Japan, the Korea Foundation, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (Taiwan), and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates were also cited as funders.

In addition to these significant announcements, Trump also highlighted the cleaning and waxing of historical statues in Meridian Park, Washington, D.C. Posts on September 7, 2026, from Eric Daugherty's X account, shared via an Operative Telegram Feed, noted that the Joan of Arc statue and the Dante Memorial Statue had been cleaned, with Trump expressing satisfaction with the capital's appearance.

What the Evidence Establishes

The evidence establishes that President Donald Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to announce significant policy and legal initiatives on September 7, 2026. The renaming of New Mexico to "New America" was directly communicated through a map posted on his account, as reported by Breitbart News, which also cited the New York Post. This report confirms Trump's direct involvement in proposing the name change and his rationale, linking it to perceived "vote cheating states." The Breitbart article further corroborates the earlier renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in January 2025 and Lake Ontario to "Lake America" last month, attributing these changes to Trump's directive to honor "American greatness" and occurring amid "increasing tensions between the United States and Canada after trade talks between the two countries broke down."

Regarding the lawsuit, Trump's statements, as relayed through an Operative Telegram Feed, explicitly detail his intent to sue the "Center for American Lack of Progress." He directly quoted Chandler Hall's statement on television regarding the National Guard's impact on crime. Furthermore, Trump provided a comprehensive list of alleged funders, including prominent American corporations and international diplomatic missions, asserting that these entities support a "Radical Left SCAM." His declaration, "This will be met with a lawsuit, which is being drawn now," indicates active legal preparation. The cleaning of the Joan of Arc and Dante Memorial statues in Meridian Park, D.C., is also confirmed by posts from Eric Daugherty on X, dated September 7, 2026, which were subsequently shared on an Operative Telegram Feed, attributing the initiative to President Trump.

Where the Accounts Conflict

Significant conflicts arise between President Trump's assertions and the reactions from Democratic officials, particularly concerning the proposed renaming of New Mexico. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico explicitly rejected the renaming, stating on X, "New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed." She further accused the President of attempting to "distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran" and rising gas prices, contrasting his actions with Democratic leadership's focus on local issues like childcare, college, healthcare, and housing. Deb Haaland, a former Biden Interior Secretary and current gubernatorial candidate for New New Mexico, echoed this sentiment on X, writing, "You can’t be serious. New Mexico is not for renaming. Not up for sale. My promise: I’ll always stand up for what makes New Mexico, New Mexico." These statements directly contradict Trump's unilateral renaming efforts and his characterization of the state.

Another area of conflict centers on the effectiveness of National Guard deployments and the credibility of the "Center for American Lack of Progress." Trump vehemently disputes the organization's report, which claimed the National Guard had "NO impact on Crime," labeling it a "Radical Left SCAM." He further attacked the organization's funders, accusing them of supporting "lunatics" and being "so bad for our Country." The organization's report, as quoted by Trump, directly contradicts his assertion that "Crime is way down since I took Office." The source material does not provide the "Center for American Lack of Progress"'s direct response to Trump's lawsuit announcement or his characterization of their report and funding, but their original report's conclusion stands in direct opposition to Trump's claims regarding crime reduction and the National Guard's efficacy.

Context and Stakes

President Trump's actions regarding state and geographical renaming are consistent with a broader "America First" nationalist agenda, aiming to reinforce national identity and project strength. The renaming of New Mexico, a state that formally joined the U.S. in 1912 and has not voted Republican in a presidential election since 2004, carries significant political implications. It challenges state sovereignty and cultural heritage, particularly for a state with a deep Hispanic and Indigenous history, predating the United States itself. Governor Lujan Grisham's immediate and strong reaction underscores the political sensitivity and potential for a backlash among New Mexico's electorate, especially with Deb Haaland, a prominent Native American politician, running for governor.

The renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" and the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" also carries geopolitical weight. The Lake Ontario renaming, specifically occurring amid "increasing tensions between the United States and Canada after trade talks between the two countries broke down," could exacerbate diplomatic friction with a key ally. Such unilateral actions on shared geographical features are often viewed as provocative and could lead to formal protests or retaliatory measures from affected nations. The broader implication is a potential shift in international relations, prioritizing symbolic nationalistic gestures over established diplomatic protocols.

The announced lawsuit against the "Center for American Lack of Progress" and its named donors represents a significant escalation in political tactics. Targeting a policy organization and its diverse funding base, including major corporations and foreign embassies, raises questions about freedom of speech, the role of think tanks in public discourse, and the potential chilling effect on political donations. If pursued, this lawsuit could set a precedent for how political figures engage with critical research and their financial supporters, potentially impacting the landscape of advocacy and non-profit operations in the United States. The claim that the National Guard had "NO impact on Crime" directly challenges a key policy narrative of the Trump administration regarding urban security.

What to Watch Next

The immediate focus will be on the progression of the announced lawsuit against the "Center for American Lack of Progress." Legal filings, including the specific charges and named defendants, will provide clarity on the scope and seriousness of President Trump's intent. Observers should monitor whether the lawsuit explicitly names the listed corporate and foreign donors, as this would significantly broaden its implications. The response from the targeted organization and its funders will also be critical, potentially involving counter-statements or legal defenses. Any public statements from the named corporations or foreign embassies regarding their alleged funding of the organization will be closely watched.

Domestically, the political fallout from the proposed renaming of New Mexico will continue to unfold. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland are expected to intensify their public campaign to defend the state's name and cultural identity. This could manifest in legislative resolutions, public rallies, or increased media engagement to counter Trump's narrative. The impact of this issue on the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Mexico will be a key indicator of its political resonance. Furthermore, any further attempts by President Trump to rename other states or geographical features will signal a continuation of this nationalistic strategy.

Internationally, the renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" could prompt a formal diplomatic response from Canada. This might include official protests, statements from Canadian government officials, or even discussions of retaliatory measures, particularly in the context of ongoing trade disputes. The reaction of other nations sharing geographical features with the U.S., such as Mexico regarding the Gulf of Mexico, will also be relevant. Any escalation in rhetoric or policy from either the U.S. or Canada concerning this naming dispute will be a critical development to observe in the coming weeks.

Bottom Line

President Donald Trump has initiated a series of high-profile actions, including the proposed renaming of New Mexico to "New America" and the announcement of a lawsuit against a policy organization and its diverse array of funders. These moves align with a nationalistic agenda, aiming to redefine national identity and challenge perceived political opposition. The renaming efforts, particularly concerning New Mexico and Lake Ontario, have already generated significant political pushback from Democratic leaders and carry potential for international diplomatic friction, especially with Canada.

The impending lawsuit against the "Center for American Lack of Progress" for its report on National Guard effectiveness represents an aggressive legal strategy targeting both a critical voice and its financial supporters. This action could have far-reaching implications for the landscape of political advocacy and corporate funding in the United States, potentially setting new precedents for how political figures engage with critical research and their financial backers. The coming days and weeks will reveal the specific legal steps taken, the responses from the targeted entities, and the broader political and diplomatic ramifications of these contentious initiatives.