'Gulf of Trump': President Faces Intense Backlash Over Renaming Quip Amid Iran War

It appeared that Donald Trump avoided answering a question and diverted from the topic during a recent interview. While speaking over the phone on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Trump was asked a question on rising tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz.

However, instead of answering the question, Trump spoke about something else. The president began speaking about the Gulf of Mexico and suggested giving it a new name.

On Sunday, April 12, after Trump had a conversation with Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures over the phone, the president grabbed the headlines for a rather surprising comment.

Trump's remarks while he was asked about the current situation involving the Strait of Hormuz raised quite a few eyebrows.

During the interview, Bartiromo asked, "You said hundreds of super tankers are headed to the Gulf of America to buy oil and gas from the U.S. What can you tell us about that?” However, instead of responding to her question, Trump proceeded to speak about the gulf.

“Well, I can tell you that it used to be called the Gulf of Mexico. That's what I can tell you. Now it's called the Gulf of America because of me,” he said, adding, “One of the little things I did. One of my little sidelines. It's a great honor. People are so happy. I must tell you.”

Trump claimed that the Gulf of Mexico is now called the Gulf of America because of him. Meanwhile, although Bartiromo tried to bring up the topic, the president interrupted again.

“I was thinking about calling it the Gulf of Trump. I decided not to do it. I think maybe that would not have worked out. Not so sure. You'll have to tell me. It's going to be called the Gulf of Trump,” he said.

Trump's comments come after he previously renamed the Kennedy Center in December 2025, and sought to rename the Palm Beach International Airport effective from July 1, 2026.

Following his "Gulf of Trump" comment during the interview, the president faced strong reactions online. A number of netizens appeared upset and said it was not the right time to joke, especially with rising tensions amid the Iran war.

Many expressed their views on social media regarding the same. One user stated, “Actually, we were thinking of naming it 'Gulf of Loser Trump' in his honor, since it fell under full control after he was defeated so badly.”

Another user took offence at Bartiromo’s reaction to Trump's comments during the interview. The user said that the host should have pushed Trump to answer the real question instead of letting the moment pass.

“Baritromo just smiling along. Trump should have answered her question already,” the user wrote.

A few users even pointed out the timing of the joke, saying, “Glad it's all a joke to him.

In the meantime, as negotiations end because he didn't get a deal in one meeting and now threatens to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and escalating the war and the economy of the world.”

However, not everyone was against Trump. One user commented, “He is not going to call it the Gulf of Trump. But I am glad he has a sense of humor. He is my President and yours.”

Notably, the interview took place 21 hours after the failed peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.