Hillary Clinton Laughs as Trump Shares Plan to Rename ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to ‘Gulf of America’ in His Inaugural Address

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP/Getty

SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP/Getty

Hillary Clintoncouldn’t contain her laughter during PresidentDonald Trump’s 2025inauguration speech.The former secretary of state, 77, was caught stifling a laugh when Trump, 78, declared moments after taking the oath on Jan. 20 that as president, he will prioritizechanging the name of the Gulf of Mexicoto the “Gulf of America.““America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe, admiration of the entire world,” Trump said in his address.He added, leading to Clinton’s amusement: “A short time from now, we will be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs.“SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via GettyThis is not the first time Trump has mentioned his plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico.At a Mar-a-Lago press conference earlier this month, the now-presidentshared his stance, saying, “We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”Last week, Georgia Rep.Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fierce ally of Trump’s, said she would prepare legislation to change the name.“The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries,” she said in a statement. “It’s our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as.“Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton at a presidential debate on Oct. 9, 2016.Chip Somodevilla / Getty ImagesWhile Clinton laughed at Trump’s comment, she held back blatant signs of animosity during the inauguration despite her long-standing rift with the president. The two went head-to-head during the2016 presidential election, where Clinton won the popular vote but Trump claimed the Electoral College victory.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Since then, Clinton has remained vocal in her opposition to Trump. She has been a strong supporter of former PresidentJoe Biden, who awarded her thePresidential Medal of Freedomearlier this month, and she supported Vice PresidentKamala Harris' bid for the presidency in 2024.In a 2019 interview withPEOPLE, Clinton described Trump as “a reckless, corrupt human tornado who cares only about himself.”She added, “The president of the United States is betraying our country on a daily basis. This man who is in the Oval Office right now is a clear and present danger to the future of the United States.”

Hillary Clintoncouldn’t contain her laughter during PresidentDonald Trump’s 2025inauguration speech.

The former secretary of state, 77, was caught stifling a laugh when Trump, 78, declared moments after taking the oath on Jan. 20 that as president, he will prioritizechanging the name of the Gulf of Mexicoto the “Gulf of America.”

“America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe, admiration of the entire world,” Trump said in his address.

He added, leading to Clinton’s amusement: “A short time from now, we will be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs.”

SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty

This is not the first time Trump has mentioned his plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

At a Mar-a-Lago press conference earlier this month, the now-presidentshared his stance, saying, “We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory, the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”

Last week, Georgia Rep.Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fierce ally of Trump’s, said she would prepare legislation to change the name.

“The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries,” she said in a statement. “It’s our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as.”

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton at a presidential debate on Oct. 9, 2016.Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

While Clinton laughed at Trump’s comment, she held back blatant signs of animosity during the inauguration despite her long-standing rift with the president. The two went head-to-head during the2016 presidential election, where Clinton won the popular vote but Trump claimed the Electoral College victory.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Since then, Clinton has remained vocal in her opposition to Trump. She has been a strong supporter of former PresidentJoe Biden, who awarded her thePresidential Medal of Freedomearlier this month, and she supported Vice PresidentKamala Harris' bid for the presidency in 2024.

In a 2019 interview withPEOPLE, Clinton described Trump as “a reckless, corrupt human tornado who cares only about himself.”

She added, “The president of the United States is betraying our country on a daily basis. This man who is in the Oval Office right now is a clear and present danger to the future of the United States.”

source: people.com