On Thursday, Donald Trump took to his official Truth Social account to highlight a post suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz be renamed the "Strait of Trump." This move echoes a joke he made several weeks prior.
The former Republican president reshared content from the @IStandWithTrump47 account, known as "WomenForTrump," which frequently posts flattering images of Trump. The post included a vintage-style map of the Strait of Hormuz labeled as "STRAIT OF TRUMP," with American-flagged oil tankers and navigational routes marked by arrows.
Although Trump didn't add any personal remarks when he shared the image, his message was clear enough without them.
Trump's History of Geographic Renaming
This isn't Trump's first foray into playful renaming. During the FII Priority Summit in Miami on March 27, 2026, an investment forum backed by Saudi Arabia, Trump jokingly suggested: "They need to open the Strait of Trump—I mean Hormuz. Sorry, what a terrible mistake," he quipped, adding, "No accidents with me, not many."
Previously, on January 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14172, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for U.S. federal agencies. He later revealed on April 12, 2026, that he had considered calling it the "Gulf of Trump" but decided otherwise, humorously admitting, "I think that was a wise decision; it wouldn't look so good."
Geopolitical Realities and Rising Tensions
Despite Trump's playful suggestions, any renaming of the Strait of Hormuz holds no international weight, as the waterway is under the jurisdiction of Iran and Oman, and no U.S. executive order can change this geopolitical fact.
The backdrop of Trump's remarks is a period of heightened tension. The strait has been closed since March 4, 2026, after Iran blocked it with mines, drones, and missiles. In response, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade since April 13, involving 12 warships, 100 aircraft, and 10,000 troops in the Gulf of Oman.
The price of Brent crude has surged from $67 per barrel in February 2026 to over $126, and the Pentagon disclosed on Wednesday that the conflict with Iran has cost approximately $25 billion since the operations commenced.
International and Domestic Reactions
Last Tuesday, Trump announced that Iran had informed him it was in a "State of Collapse" and requested that the U.S. reopen the strait "as soon as possible." On the same day, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz at the Security Council, warning of a potential "global food emergency."
California Governor Gavin Newsom seized the moment to sarcastically criticize the president on X: "Crude is at $120 a barrel and climbing. Americans are paying skyrocketing prices. Why doesn't President Trump open the Strait of Trump?"
Understanding the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, with a significant portion of the world's petroleum passing through it. Its closure can lead to increased oil prices and economic instability.
What is the current status of the Strait of Hormuz?
As of now, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to Iranian blockades, leading to a military standoff and escalating tensions with the United States.
How has the closure affected global oil prices?
The closure has caused Brent crude prices to rise significantly, impacting global markets and increasing costs for consumers worldwide.