Florida became the first state to enshrine the “Gulf of America” into law after President Donald Trump proclaimed the new name for the body of water via executive order in January.
Trump changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America shortly after taking office. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed legislation into law Monday that changes references to the Gulf of Mexico in state law to the Gulf of America. DeSantis signed another bill that puts the new name for the body of water in educational materials for state schools.
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With the new laws, Florida became the first state to change the name for the body of water bordering the state’s west coast.
“Ever since President Trump entered the Oval Office, he has fought for America first policies that honor our country’s greatness,” Republican Florida Senate President Ben Albritton said in a statement. “Mr. President, I’m proud to say the Florida Senate stands with you in the fight to recognize the Gulf of America and celebrate American exceptionalism. Thank you Governor DeSantis for signing these bills into law.”
Florida officially acknowledges the Gulf of America! ???????? pic.twitter.com/Gb4Ib1YBkI
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) April 15, 2025
“It was an honor to join Governor DeSantis to see these good bills signed into law today. Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,” Republican Florida Sen. Nick DiCeglie, one of the bill’s sponsors, said in a statement.
“American exceptionalism isn’t an abstract idea, it is an absolute fact that we must recognize and celebrate. In Florida, we will always put America first,” DiCeglie added.
At the federal level, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has introduced legislation to enshrine the Gulf of America into law, but the legislation has yet to receive a vote.
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The name change has had fairly wide acceptance domestically, with some notable exceptions. Government agencies and some map services complied with the order, while some news outlets, such as the Associated Press, kept the name Gulf of Mexico in copy.
The Associated Press’s decision not to use the Gulf of America in its copy has led to a high-profile standoff between the news agency and the White House, with the Trump administration restricting access to Associated Press journalists.