MapQuest is letting users call the “Gulf of America” whatever they want, a move that subtly pokes fun at President Trump’s decision to rename the “Gulf of Mexico.”
The mapping company launched a new Instagram account despite its platform fading in popularity amid the rise of Google Maps and Apple Maps.
“Because you TOTALLY asked for this… and MapQuest wants you to feel PURE joy…We’ve granted you exclusive access to a place very dear to our heart: gulfof.mapquest.com,” Mapquest wrote on Instagram.
“Think of it as the Upside Down but more… minimalist. Pls share so we can behold your genius (or judge you, lovingly) 😘,” the company added.
Trump’s decision to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” has been met with mixed feelings. Some U.S. citizens who live in places like Florida have gladly welcomed the name change, the IndyStar reports, while others appear upset.
Google Maps users in the U.S. now see “Gulf of America” displayed over the body of water that was once labeled “Gulf of Mexico.”
Users in Mexico still see the name “Gulf of Mexico,” and users elsewhere in the world will see both names, written as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
The change follows Trump’s directive on Jan. 20, his first day back in office, to rename the gulf to include America’s name.
The executive order instructed the Department of the Interior to take all steps necessary to make the change official. The department, on Jan. 24, issued a news release saying, “The Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America.”
The change has also sparked a culture war between the Trump administration and media, after The Associated Press was banned from official White House events over the new wire’s refusal to use the “Gulf of America” moniker.
