In January 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered a pointed response to President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” During her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum stood before a 17th-century world map and sarcastically suggested that if Trump could rename geographic features, perhaps North America should be renamed “Mexican America” based on a 1814 founding document. With evident sarcasm, she asked reporters if that “sounds nice, no?” She emphasized that the Gulf of Mexico has carried its current name since 1607, highlighting the absurdity of attempting to unilaterally change centuries-old geographic nomenclature. CBS NewsPBS The exchange demonstrated Sheinbaum’s willingness to use humor and historical facts to push back against what she viewed as disrespectful proposals from the incoming U.S. administration.
A significant controversy erupted in November 2024 when President Sheinbaum and President-elect Trump provided starkly different accounts of their phone conversation regarding immigration policy. Trump publicly claimed on social media that Sheinbaum had “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico” and would “effectively closing our Southern Border.” However, Sheinbaum quickly contradicted this characterization, clarifying that she had merely explained Mexico’s existing comprehensive migration strategy to Trump. She firmly stated that Mexico’s “position is not to close borders,” directly refuting Trump’s claims about what had been agreed upon during their discussion. ABC News This public disagreement highlighted the diplomatic challenges ahead and Sheinbaum’s determination to correct any mischaracterizations of Mexico’s immigration policies.
President Sheinbaum made headlines in November 2025 when she took decisive action after being groped during a public appearance. She immediately pressed charges against the man who violated her personal space and announced a nationwide review of sexual harassment laws. In a forceful statement condemning the incident, Sheinbaum declared that “no one can violate our personal space” and emphasized that “no man has the right to violate that space.” Al JazeeraCNN Her response was widely praised for sending a strong message about zero tolerance for sexual harassment, even against the country’s highest office. The incident and her reaction sparked broader conversations about gender-based violence in Mexico and the importance of accountability regardless of the perpetrator.
Defending Mexican Immigrants Against U.S. Accusations
Tensions escalated when President Sheinbaum issued a sharp rebuke to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after Noem accused the Mexican president of encouraging violent protests in Los Angeles. Sheinbaum firmly denied these accusations, calling them “absolutely false” and making clear that she condemns all forms of violence. She stressed the importance of “dialogue and respect” between the United States and Mexico while defending the character of hardworking Mexican immigrants in America. Newsweek Her response reflected her administration’s approach of defending Mexican nationals abroad while attempting to maintain diplomatic channels with the United States during an increasingly contentious period in bilateral relations