Arizona Lawmaker Renames New Mexico “New America” in April Fools’ Day Prank

In a masterclass of political prankery, Arizona State Representative Justin Wilmeth took April Fools’ Day to the floor of the House with a mock resolution proposing to rename New Mexico as “New America.”

“I figured since that one gulf got an update, our 47th state should as well,” Wilmeth quipped on X (formerly Twitter), referencing global name-change debates. “Happy April Fools’ Day to the Land of Enchantment – New America! 😂😉😎 @NMLegislature #NMLeg”

But Wilmeth didn’t stop at a tweet—he had the resolution read aloud during a legislative session, drawing laughter from fellow lawmakers. To top it off, he even unveiled a redesigned state flag to accompany New Mexico’s would-be new identity.

The tongue-in-cheek proposal, aimed at injecting some levity into the legislative process, was all in good fun. While New Mexico’s official name remains unchanged, the prank sparked light-hearted reactions across both states—especially among those with a sense of humor in politics.

The resolution, delivered during the legislative session, was met with amusement from fellow lawmakers, highlighting the camaraderie and good-natured humor shared between the neighboring states. While the proposal was purely in jest, it showcased a lighter side of political proceedings, bringing a moment of levity to the legislative floor.