# The "Gulf of America"? Wth? Can you just change the name of a body of water? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683 "2025-01-07T18:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/21 "2025-01-07T22:11:34Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > But all those hurricanes, dead zones, storm surges, craters, tornadoes and other calamities wreaking havoc on the USA; do you really want them to be sourced from the Gulf of America? Trump will simply have the gulf flogged until it stops creating storms. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/22 "2025-01-07T22:23:07Z")
Is this another Trump money making scheme to sell new globes. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/23 "2025-01-07T23:57:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Trump will simply have the gulf flogged until it stops What a Canute. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/24 "2025-01-08T00:45:14Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > To be clear, I think it’s dumb but I don’t think there’s any actual barriers to it. Strong barriers, no, but there is a legal process involving the Board of Geographical Names: > **[Public\_Law\_242\_508.pdf](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/media/files/Public_Law_242_508.pdf)** > > 185.80 KB > [@](#): > > Action may be taken by the Secretary [of the Interior] in any matter wherein the Board does not act within a reasonable time. So it won’t be a day one thing. First Doug Burgum has to be confirmed. Will he try to go slow in hope that Trump forgets about it? Maybe. I’m guessing the civil servants on the Board will also try to go slow. What’s a reasonable time after which Burgum can make the change without their say-so? Is there any legal precedent there? Here’s a bit of Mississippi history: [Call It ‘Gulf Of America,’ Not Gulf Of Mexico, Lawmaker Says In Bit Of Satire](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/02/09/146643464/call-it-gulf-of-america-not-gulf-of-mexico-mississippi-lawmaker-says) > [@](#): > > . . . Rep. Stephen Holland — the Democratic lawmaker who’s getting a lot of attention for introducing a bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. > > Holland told Daniel that so many of his Republican colleagues seem to want to push anything or anyone Mexican out of the state that he’s just trying to “embrace” their cause and help them out. In other words, he’s introduced a bill that he thinks will make a satirical point by being outrageous. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/25 "2025-01-08T01:35:14Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Doesn’t China want to change the name of a sea? If so how is Trump any different then them? Japan and both Koreas have long had a row over Sea of Japan vs. East Sea vs. East Korean sea. There’s also Liancourt Rocks vs. Takeshima vs. Dokdo. > [@penultima\_thule](#): > > What a Canute. To defend the Great, he was supposedly demonstrating the limitations of earthly power, not engaging in hubris for the sake of hubris. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/26 "2025-01-08T02:17:51Z")
From this day on, the official language of San Marcos will be Swedish. In addition to that, all citizens will be required to change their underwear every half-hour. Underwear will be worn on the outside so we can check. Furthermore, all children under 16 years old are now… 16 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/27 "2025-01-08T02:34:40Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > To defend the Great, he was supposedly demonstrating the limitations of earthly power, not engaging in hubris for the sake of hubris. “King Nut was a very great king. He ruled a big beautiful empire, which included Greenland. Not many people know that.” ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/28 "2025-01-08T03:34:21Z")
I just saw an alternate name suggested on Facebook: **Gulf of How Does This Lower Grocery Prices?** ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/29 "2025-01-08T03:36:45Z")
I am amazed that he hasn’t decided to have it renamed the Golf (sic) of Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/30 "2025-01-08T03:45:24Z")
That tickled me. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/31 "2025-01-08T03:45:55Z")
I think I am going to rename my toilet bowl the Gulf of Trump. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/32 "2025-01-08T04:40:46Z")
What’s this from? Sounds like a Cunkism. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/33 "2025-01-08T04:48:42Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > What’s this from? That was me channeling my inner Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/34 "2025-01-08T06:01:25Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think I am going to rename my toilet bowl the Gulf of Trump. Your toilet is cleaner and provides more utility than its intended namesake. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/35 "2025-01-08T12:27:40Z")
My guess is that he’s jealous of all the attention Musk got for renaming something well known and wants to do it too. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/36 "2025-01-08T12:34:21Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think I am going to rename my toilet bowl the Gulf of Trump. Got just the thing for you - [Trump toilet brush](https://www.amazon.com/EVERMARKET-Original-Cleaner-Scubber-Commander/dp/B07L8SM6F1/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NWRqAOcgVChGUD87hZSg7fKH6B_PmuCtgIlaqURYROyPXzNGAFwggS4AToL7KOBPPaXv1iZsYSg43kzVm9tDGhnD5kCPHgFT2czBxoic2RF-qe1rZPVaoGscdqIVUrEAs5Frn_GMueg7PKs3rqeC-FCPIe9egMDULheQ1_6Je6UeqlT7FJKbviz36v7U4SmkshVzyt1Pg4FdmO0cD6gW42gDv0ewody5Kp0mjxcRNl3UiOPz3i1FZkN4BJSngkqeE3D-pTLUvTBrgCFiWnJr7JRhp_4Ajn0Zgo_AZ_FZFb2-R6NuB5K1Zu8lyxDTQdNhOKrHBlMc96rws2qfSWB_I_ZQR24SkuoHKsoQ2dH3io_vMLJ1L98_eT2D85SyTFpFbqn6xUp7HyA7Po7QjGWmfiwCxyPVdmmjv_YgVtWtdlCovo8jHdfgoD_uNNnJ_XJN.KFcWqQZN8mtZ7W20aA4xgTIKOf_ApiisxElczLZ8c3I&dib_tag=se&hvadid=407640082215&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028830&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9207961555455828521&hvtargid=kwd-835316058935&hydadcr=7470_9612014&keywords=trump%2Btoilet%2Bbrush%2Bhead&qid=1736339585&sr=8-1&th=1) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/37 "2025-01-08T13:18:00Z")
I’m against the renaming for mostly conservative reasons. But it’s a politically smart move. Nationalism is popular. And of all the nationalist gestures Trump 47 is likely to make, it will be among the least damaging. Contrast, from a domestic political standpoint, the highest profile renaming project of the Biden-Harris administration: [Secretary Haaland Takes Action to Remove Derogatory Names from Federal Lands](https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-takes-action-remove-derogatory-names-federal-lands) Instead of instilling national pride, this [politically less than worthless](https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2024/nov/24/trumps-win-shows-native-americans-are-off-the-democrats-reservation/) move tried to chip away at it. And it was done regarding an archaic word that nobody, who wasn’t already voting for the Democrats, sees as derogatory (yes, I know, the Democratic base is utterly convinced of the opposite). Gulf of America shapes up the same way in that virtually all Democrats will see it as a slur against Mexicans, while middle America (not just MAGA) will be fine with it. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/38 "2025-01-08T13:46:27Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Contrast, from a domestic political standpoint, the highest profile renaming project of the Biden-Harris administration: I’d say the highest profile renaming project of the Biden-Harris admin was removing the names of traitors from our military bases. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/39 "2025-01-08T13:52:53Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think I am going to rename my toilet bowl the Gulf of Trump. I already refer to my bowel movements as “downloading Republican talking points”, so I’ll just add “in the Gulf of Trump” to that. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/40 "2025-01-08T14:03:21Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Gulf of America shapes up the same way in that virtually all Democrats will see it as a slur against Mexicans, while middle America (not just MAGA) will be fine with it. It bugs me the most in a cartographical sense. Gulf of Texas, fine, whatever. Gulf of Louisiana would also be all right. But Gulf of America? America has lots of gulfs! Both North America _and_ South America! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=3)