‘Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,’ a bill sponsor said.
Watch: The Gulf of America rolling gently on Destin’s shore
Watch the Gulf of America rolling onto Destin’s shore.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed bills renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state law and textbooks.
- This action aligns with a previous executive order from former President Trump.
- The change will be reflected in instructional materials purchased after July 1, 2025.
The Sunshine State is claiming dibs on being the first to officially recognize the Gulf of America as the body of water’s new name.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed two bills (HB 575, HB 549) that rename what’s known as the Gulf of Mexico in state law and public school textbooks.
The measures’ sponsors in the Senate posted photos of themselves with DeSantis in the governor’s Capitol office, holding blue Sharpies and green “Gulf of America” road signs.
“Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,” Republican state Sen. Nick DiCeglie said in a statement. “American exceptionalism isn’t an abstract idea. It is an absolute fact that we must recognize and celebrate. In Florida, we will always put America first.”
Added Republican Sen. Joe Gruters: “These bills, now Florida law, ensure we reflect that fact across state government and, most importantly, in our schools. It is our responsibility to ensure our children understand American greatness.”
The moves follow up on Trump’s executive order, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Denali, a mountain in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley.
The bills change the name of the body of water that borders almost half of Florida to the Gulf of America in Florida state law and direct state agencies and school districts to adopt instructional materials that include the change after July 1.
They require all new purchases of instructional “geographic materials,” such as textbooks, and additions to media center libraries to refer to the Gulf of America.
This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.