President-elect Donald Trump recently promised to change the name of the tallest mountain in the U.S. back to its original title, “Mount McKinley,” instead of “Denali.”
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s team and the National Park Service for a comment, but we haven’t heard back yet.
Why It’s Important
This mountain, located in Denali National Park in Alaska, stands tall at over 20,000 feet—making it the highest peak in the U.S. For years, it was called Mount McKinley, named after President William McKinley, who served as the 25th president before being assassinated in 1901.
However, in 2015, President Barack Obama decided to change the name back to “Denali” during a visit to Alaska. The new name honored Alaska Natives, whose language has used “Denali” for centuries. In the Athabaskan language, “Denali” means “the high one,” reflecting the towering mountain.
Local officials had pushed for this change for years, and Alaska officially adopted Denali as the mountain’s name in 1975, trying to preserve the Native name that had been overlooked by early American mapmakers.
Why Trump Wants to Change It
While speaking at an event in Phoenix, Trump explained that he believes the name “Mount McKinley” should be restored because he thinks McKinley was a “great president” who “deserves it.” He pointed out McKinley’s role in growing the country’s wealth, including raising money during his presidency, and argued that this deserved recognition by having the mountain bear his name once again.
Trump’s stance on this name change has received some pushback, especially from those in Alaska who felt the new name should remain. Ohio lawmakers, too, have expressed concerns, as McKinley was a key figure in Ohio’s history.
What’s the Public Reaction?
During his first term, Trump discussed this with Alaska’s two Republican senators. In a private meeting, both Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan firmly opposed changing the name back. They argued that the name “Denali” had been used by Alaska Natives for thousands of years and should be respected.
As University of Alaska linguist James Kari pointed out, the name “Denali” comes from the Koyukon language, one of the many languages spoken in the region. For many, the name honors the area’s deep Native history, and changing it would disregard that rich tradition.
What Happens Next?
It’s still unclear whether Trump will go ahead with the name change after taking office. Changing the name of a national landmark is no small task—it often takes time. A proposal to change a name must go through the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, and that involves getting input from local governments, state officials, and Native American groups. Plus, Congress may need to approve any change.
So while the debate over “Denali” versus “Mount McKinley” is ongoing, it seems like this issue will take some time before a final decision is made.
