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Trump Suggests Renaming Gulf of Mexico and Reclaiming Panama Canal in Rambling Press Conference
Jan
In a bizarre and chaotic press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and hinted at using military force to retake control of the Panama Canal.
The event, initially promoted as an announcement about foreign investment in the U.S., quickly devolved into a stream-of-consciousness rant covering a wide array of topics. Trump touched on grievances ranging from wind turbines to water pressure, legal troubles, and his longstanding grudge against Canada. His comments sparked confusion and concern among both reporters and political analysts.
A Push to Reclaim the Panama Canal?
One of the most alarming moments came when Trump suggested the U.S. should consider taking back the Panama Canal, which it handed over to Panama in 1999 after decades of control.
“I’m not saying we’re going to do it. But, you know, maybe we should. Why did we give it away? I won’t commit to anything, but it was a mistake,” Trump said. When asked if he was implying military intervention, he responded, “We’ll see. We’ll look at our options.”
The comment immediately drew backlash from both Panama and U.S. allies, who viewed it as a dangerous revival of imperialist rhetoric.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
Trump also floated the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
“The Gulf of Mexico — what’s that about? It should be called the Gulf of America. It’s ours. We’ve got Texas, we’ve got Florida, and we’ve got a lot of oil out there. Why are we calling it something for Mexico?” he said.
Geopolitical analysts were left baffled by the suggestion, which would likely strain U.S.-Mexico relations.
Hezbollah and January 6?
Trump’s speech took another bizarre turn when he claimed without evidence that Hezbollah militants may have been present at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 insurrection.
“Hezbollah — they might’ve been there. We don’t know. No one’s looked into it,” he said. “They could’ve been in with the protesters. It’s something people are talking about.”
No credible evidence supports this claim, and intelligence agencies have not made any such connection.
Legal Troubles Loom
Trump’s press conference comes as his legal team works to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report on classified documents and election interference. Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including a scheduled sentencing over hush money payments.
Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s latest attempt to delay that sentencing, which remains set for Friday.
Reaction from Analysts and Allies
Political analysts have described the press conference as “unhinged” and “concerning.” Trump’s remarks, particularly regarding the Panama Canal, sparked immediate backlash from Panama’s government.
In Washington, Democrats condemned the comments, while Republicans largely remained silent. Several GOP lawmakers have expressed concern about Trump’s erratic behavior since the election.
A Return to Trump’s Grievances
In familiar fashion, Trump railed against his usual targets, including renewable energy, electric heaters, and dishwashers. He complained about water pressure and claimed, “You can’t get soap anymore that actually works.”
He also took shots at Canada, calling the country “a disaster” and suggesting the U.S. should reconsider trade relations with its northern neighbor.
What’s Next?
The press conference left more questions than answers. Trump’s comments about foreign policy and the use of military force raised alarms among diplomats and foreign leaders, who are bracing for a potentially volatile U.S. administration.
Meanwhile, Trump faces mounting legal battles and the pressure of an upcoming sentencing — all while preparing to take office amid unprecedented controversy.
