In his first week as US President, Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename North America’s tallest mountain, restoring its original name, Mount McKinley. The mountain had been officially called “Denali” since 2015, a decision made by former President Barack Obama to honour the name long used by Alaska Natives. The surrounding area, however, will remain Denali National Park and Preserve.
“We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump said during his inaugural speech. The decision was led by Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who highlighted McKinley’s historical legacy and contributions to the nation. The order requires the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate the name within 30 days and update all official records accordingly.
However, the move has drawn criticism. Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club’s land protection program, called it an insult to Alaska Natives and their traditions. “The Koyukon people have known this mountain as Denali for centuries,” Manuel stated.
Additionally, President Trump announced his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” He described the Gulf as a vital economic resource deserving of national recognition. In his speech, Trump also declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, vowing to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions of “criminal aliens.
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