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Trump Rules Out Renaming Hudson and Mississippi Rivers, Mulls Ocean Rename
By Drooid · · How we work
Trump’s Renaming Remarks at a Tennessee Rally
President Donald Trump addressed supporters at a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday evening. He said he intends to add “a river and an ocean” to the list of U.S. geographic features he plans to rename before leaving office. While floating the ideas of “Trump Ocean” or “Ocean of the Americas” for either the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, he explicitly ruled out changing the names of the Hudson River and the Mississippi River. The comments follow earlier actions to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario.
Background on Prior Renaming Initiatives
Earlier in his term, Trump directed federal agencies to use “Gulf of America” instead of the Gulf of Mexico and to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Those changes illustrate a broader pattern of rebranding natural landmarks with the “America” label. The current remarks extend that pattern to additional waterways, though no formal proposals have been issued.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump explained his decision not to rename the Hudson River by citing explorer Henry Hudson’s historical navigation. He also defended keeping the Mississippi River’s name, linking it to his electoral victory in the state. Regarding a future ocean rename, he suggested either the Atlantic or Pacific could receive a new designation, though no specific name has been adopted. The administration has not released an official policy document outlining criteria or timelines for any further renamings. The remarks were presented as part of a broader cultural agenda rather than a legislative initiative.