On Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump ignited controversy by posting a map on Truth Social that depicted North America and the Caribbean draped in the American flag. This map, notably, included Cuba, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and several parts of Central America and the Caribbean.
The map had the bold title "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" at its center and renamed the Gulf of Mexico as "GULF OF AMERICA." Posted at 10:43 AM Eastern Time (4:43 PM in Cuba), the image lacked any accompanying text or formal political proposal. Within just a few hours, it amassed over 1,540 retruths and 6,260 likes.
Although the image doesn't constitute a legal action or formal foreign policy suggestion, it follows a pattern of expansionist imagery that Trump has been known for throughout 2026, sparking reactions across the region.
The day before, Trump had shared another image, renaming New Mexico as "New America," with "Mexico" crossed out and replaced with "America." Trump claimed that "many people" had suggested the change, saying it would be "more prestigious and beautiful." However, Trump lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally rename a state by decree.
Monday's map also highlighted some geographical changes that the Trump administration has successfully implemented for federal use. In January 2025, Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed "Gulf of America," a change already incorporated into the country's official geographic databases and visible in the map he posted. On August 27, he signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America," a change recognized by Google and Apple for U.S. users, though Canada and international usage retain the original name. Additionally, he officially restored the name "Mount McKinley" for North America's highest peak, although the national park remains named Denali.
Regarding Cuba, Monday's map is not an isolated incident. In May, Trump claimed the U.S. could "take Cuba almost immediately," describing the island as "completely devastated" and saying it would be "an honor to liberate it." In June, he vowed to address Cuba after resolving the crisis with Iran. On July 1, during the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, Trump declared that Cuba "is coming toward us" and "moving into our orbit."
This pattern of expansionist maps on Truth Social also includes a map of Venezuela covered with the American flag and labeled "51st State," posted on August 1. This came weeks after Trump told Fox he was "seriously considering" making Venezuela a new state.
None of these posts have legal backing or represent formal proposals. Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and the other nations depicted on the map have consistently rejected any U.S. territorial ambitions. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have already dismissed the renaming of Lake Ontario, affirming that Canada will continue to call it Lake Ontario.
Key Questions About Trump's Controversial Maps
What was the reaction to Trump's map including Cuba under the U.S. flag?
The map sparked widespread reactions across the region, with many countries, including Canada, Mexico, and Cuba, rejecting any notion of U.S. territorial claims.
Does Trump's map have any legal or political implications?
No, the map is neither a legal document nor a formal policy proposal. It is part of a series of expansionist posts by Trump without any official backing.
Has Trump made geographical changes during his administration?
Yes, during his administration, Trump managed to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" for federal use and changed Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for U.S. users, although these changes are not recognized internationally.