During a discussion on "The View" about the potential renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, co-host Joy Behar raised questions about the origins of America's name. She pointed out that the country, originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, was named after Amerigo Vespucci, a European explorer. Behar questioned the rationale behind naming the country after a white man given its indigenous history.
The conversation stemmed from former President Trump's executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." Co-host Sara Haines noted that renaming bodies of water isn't unprecedented, citing examples like the South China Sea, which has different names depending on the country. However, Behar criticized Trump's focus on this issue, questioning its relevance compared to rising egg prices and other pressing concerns.
Behar also expressed frustration with what she perceived as distractions, mentioning plastic straws alongside the Gulf of America renaming. The Associated Press reported being barred from a White House event due to their refusal to use the term "Gulf of America," raising concerns about press freedom. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin offered a different perspective, suggesting that "Gulf of America" could be considered a more inclusive term encompassing North America, Mexico, and the United States.
This incident sparked further debate about the appropriateness of renaming geographic locations and the motivations behind such decisions. The discussion also touched on the role of media and the potential impact on public access to information.
