Oye, President Donald Trump. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has a word for you now that you’re proposing to rename New Mexico as New America.
“It’s New Mexico, always has been and always will be,” Luján wrote in a recent X post. “Just like how you’ll always be a sinvergüenza and corrupt.”
“Sinvergüenza” means scoundrel (or shameless), just so nothing gets lost in translation.
Luján’s reaction was one of the fiercest among leaders from the state since Trump’s latest rebranding announcement. He had already seized attention with an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid his trade war with Canada.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!”
Luján’s Democratic senior counterpart, Sen. Martin Heinrich, wasn’t loving it so much.
“Three things I will always call by their actual names… The Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, New Mexico,” he wrote.
Gov. Michelle Luján Grisham (D) wasn’t so enchanted either.
“New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed,” she wrote. “What is up for debate? Who’s showing up for working families. While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring. Americans are also spending more at the grocery store, losing access to health care and wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a home.”
“ Under Democratic leadership here in New Mexico, we’re providing families with free childcare and college, protecting access to health care and investing in housing. While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work. 🌶️”
A hot pepper emoji severed as a spicy exclamation point of sorts.