Trump declares 9 February ‘Gulf of America Day’, renaming Gulf of Mexico

United States President Donald Trump has officially designated 9 February as ‘Gulf of America Day’, marking the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. The proclamation was signed on 9 February, Sunday, while Trump was en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl 59, with Air Force One flying over the renamed region.

The renaming follows Executive Order 14172, signed on 20 January 2025, which mandated changes to the US Continental Shelf area. Per the order, the secretary of the interior was instructed to initiate the renaming of the body of water bordered by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the maritime boundary shared with Mexico and Cuba. In a statement issued by the White House, President Trump justified his decision, citing the importance of the Gulf to the United States.

‘I took this action in part because, as stated in that order, the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once-burgeoning nation and has remained an indelible part of America,’ Trump stated.

Trump highlighted the significance of the renaming while officially declaring 9 February 2025 the inaugural Gulf of America Day.

'As my administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America,' the White House statement read.

The proclamation further encouraged public officials and citizens across the country to observe the day with suitable programmes, ceremonies and activities. Sharing a map highlighting the newly named Gulf, the White House reposted Elon Musk's post on X of ‘The Gulf of America’.

Trump also shared a video of himself signing the proclamation, reinforcing his campaign slogan: "Make America great again, right. That's what we care about."

Google Maps has confirmed that the name change will be updated in the US Geographic Names System. According to a post on X dated 27 January, the name will be altered to ‘Gulf of America’ for users in the United States, but it will remain ‘Gulf of Mexico’ within Mexico. For users outside of these two countries, both names will be displayed.