Among President Donald Trump’s inaugural address commitments, which included increased protections on free speech and the elimination of policies such as DEI and the Green New Deal, he also announced the name change of Denali, the highest peak in North America, back to Mount McKinley.
“We will restore the name of the great President William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump said.
The peak went by the name of Mount McKinley from 1917 until 2015, when former President Barack Obama changed the name to Denali, which is what the natives originally called the peak.
In an executive order signed Monday, Trump called for changing Denali’s name back to Mount McKinley and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Although it may seem awkward to revert to a name that was not originally associated with the mountain, Trump’s decision reflects a return to American traditions. It is perfectly reasonable for one to wish to give American names to American landmarks.
Other peaks in the United States, such as Mount Whitney, bear the names of those who explored the area around the peaks. Others, such as Mount Washington, have the names of American heroes.
Due to their similar positions on tariffs and protecting American industry, it makes sense that Trump would want to restore honor to former President William McKinley.
“President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent,” Trump said.
“He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did,” he added.
Although possibly more controversial than restoring the name of Mount McKinley, Trump’s push to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is not as far-fetched as it may seem.
When early settlers originally named the gulf, Mexico was a more extensive country, and the U.S. did not exist. Today, while the gulf borders Mexico, it also borders a large part of the U.S. Also, since Mexico is part of the North American continent, a name change would still include the country.
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Trump also has historical precedent on his side. The city of Mumbai, India, was named Bombay when India was a colony of Britain. The city changed its name to Mumbai in 1995, nearly half a century after gaining independence. It should be acceptable for a country to give names to its cities and landmarks that reflect its traditions and history.
Trump has more important things to accomplish than changing the names of Denali and the Gulf of Mexico. The changes, however, reflect a return to American ideals and traditions and an embrace of our history.