Trump Suggests Renaming Waterways Like 'Strait of Trump' After Himself

The former president did a foreign accent while ranting about renaming the Gulf of Mexico and other bodies of water.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:37pm

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During a speech at a Saudi-backed investment conference in Miami Beach, former President Donald Trump made a joke about renaming the Strait of Hormuz the 'Strait of Trump.' He then went on a lengthy tangent about renaming the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America,' claiming he had a call with Mexico's president about it and that Google Maps changed the name within an hour.

Why it matters

Trump's comments about renaming major waterways after himself reflect his long-standing tendency to make grandiose, self-aggrandizing statements. While likely intended as jokes, they underscore concerns about Trump's authoritarian impulses and his disregard for established geographic and political norms.

The details

In his speech, Trump first made a quip about renaming the Strait of Hormuz the 'Strait of Trump,' then launched into a story about renaming the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America.' He claimed he had a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum about the change, and that Google Maps updated the name within an hour after he announced it.

  • Trump made the comments during a speech at the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit in Miami Beach on March 28, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who made the comments about renaming waterways after himself.

Claudia Sheinbaum

The current president of Mexico, who Trump claimed he spoke to about renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“We're negotiating now and it would be great if we could do something, but they have to open it up. They have to open up the Strait of Trump. I mean, Hormuz. Excuse me. I'm so sorry. Such a terrible mistake. The fake news will say he accidentally said — there's no accidents with me. Not too many.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“President, President, President, tell me this is not so.”

— Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico

The takeaway

Trump's comments about renaming major waterways after himself reflect his long-standing tendency to make grandiose, self-aggrandizing statements that undermine established geographic and political norms. While likely intended as jokes, they underscore concerns about his authoritarian impulses and disregard for democratic institutions.