Google Maps, BP, and the Media: How the ‘Gulf of America’ Renaming is Playing Out

WASHINGTON (AP) — On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," directing the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and reinstating the name "Mount McKinley" for Denali.

Following the executive order, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names updated federal records to reflect the new designations. Google Maps adjusted its platform to display "Gulf of America" for users in the United States, while users in Mexico continue to see "Gulf of Mexico." International users are presented with both names.

On February 9, 2025, President Trump—in flight to the Super Bowl—proclaimed the day as the inaugural "Gulf of America Day," encouraging citizens to observe the occasion with appropriate programs and activities.

The renaming has sparked controversy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum contested the change, asserting that international naming conventions cannot be unilaterally altered by a single nation.

Public response within the United States has been mixed. A recent poll indicates that approximately 71% of Americans oppose the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Media organizations have also faced challenges regarding the new nomenclature. The Associated Press (AP) chose to continue using "Gulf of Mexico" to maintain geographic clarity. In response, the White House barred an AP reporter from an Oval Office event, a move criticized by AP's senior vice president Julie Pace as a violation of First Amendment rights.

The renaming has led to varied responses from private entities. BP, for instance, has begun referring to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident as the "Gulf of America oil spill" in official communications.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how widely the new designation will be adopted both domestically and internationally.