New Mexico was in the national spotlight earlier this week as President Donald Trump sent out multiple social media posts indicating a desire to rename New Mexico “New America.” The posts prompted backlash from New Mexico’s congressional delegation and others who didn’t appreciate the suggestion.

New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez has been among the voices critical of Trump’s “New America” pitch. He has been interviewed by publications including The New York Times and The Guardian, offering a lesson on the origins of New Mexico’s name and sharing some of the unique elements of the state’s history.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Martinez joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to push back against Trump’s “New America” posts, saying “our state name is no joke.”

Martinez discusses the shaping of New Mexico and its complex culture. He also shares the history the region has had with the United States and Mexico, and some the prejudices that developed that he says seem to have not gone away.

New Mexico was in the national spotlight earlier this week as President Donald Trump sent out multiple social media posts indicating a desire to rename New Mexico &ldquo;New America.&rdquo; The posts prompted backlash from New Mexico&rsquo;s congressional delegation and others who didn&rsquo;t appreciate the suggestion.
New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez has been among the voices critical of Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;New America&rdquo; pitch. He has been interviewed by publications including&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Guardian, offering a lesson on the origins of New Mexico&rsquo;s name and sharing some of the unique elements of the state&rsquo;s history.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Martinez joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to push back against Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;New America&rdquo; posts, saying &ldquo;our state name is no joke.&rdquo;
Martinez discusses the shaping of New Mexico and its complex culture. He also shares the history the region has had with the United States and Mexico, and some the prejudices that developed that he says seem to have not gone away.

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.