Trump Changes Name of Denali, America’s Tallest Mountain, Back to Mt McKinley in Controversial Executive Order
In a move that has reignited a longstanding debate, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to rename Denali, North America’s tallest peak, back to Mount McKinley. This decision reverses action by the Obama administration, which had restored the mountain’s original Native Alaskan name.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Historical Context
The mountain, standing at 20,310 feet, has been known to the Koyukon Athabascans (a Native Alaskan people) as “Denali,” meaning “The Great One,” for centuries. In 1896, the mountain was first renamed when a gold prospector dubbed it “Mount McKinley” in honor of then-presidential candidate William McKinley, who later became the 25th President of the United States. The federal government officially recognized this name two decades later.
His presidency was marked by the Spanish-American War, which resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, reshaping its influence abroad. Domestically, McKinley championed protective tariffs and the gold standard, policies that defined the Republican economic platform of his era. Assassinated in 1901, his legacy remains tied to both American imperialism and industrial growth.
Efforts to restore the Indigenous name gained momentum over the years, culminating in the 2015 decision by the Department of the Interior to officially change the name back to Denali. This move was celebrated by many Alaskans and Native American communities as a recognition of the region’s cultural heritage.
The Executive Order
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed the Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness executive order, directing the Secretary of the Interior to revert Denali’s name to Mount McKinley within 30 days. The order, part of a broader initiative to reaffirm historical place names across the country, underscores the administration’s commitment to recognizing prominent American figures and preserving what it describes as “traditional national heritage.”
In a statement accompanying the order, President Trump framed the decision as a corrective measure, asserting that the Obama administration’s 2015 renaming of the mountain had disregarded the historical contributions of President William McKinley.
“This action is about recognizing the legacy of President McKinley and maintaining the names that are a significant part of our nation’s history,” Trump said. “For more than a century, this great mountain bore the name of a great president. We are restoring that proud tradition today.”

Former President William McKinley. Photo via McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
The executive order builds on previous efforts by Trump to reverse federal decisions he viewed as politically motivated. While the 2015 renaming was celebrated by many Alaskans and Native groups as a recognition of Indigenous heritage, some lawmakers — particularly in McKinley’s home state of Ohio — criticized the move as an unnecessary departure from historical precedent. By reinstating the name Mount McKinley, Trump’s order seeks to align federal naming policies with what he describes as a broader vision of “patriotic preservation.”
The order instructs federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the US Geological Survey, to update official maps, signs, and publications to reflect the change. It also calls for a review of other federally named landmarks to ensure they reflect “America’s historical legacy.”
However, the decision has already sparked renewed debate over whether place names should prioritize Indigenous heritage or the commemoration of US historical figures, a discussion that has played out repeatedly in national discourse over the years.
Cultural Heritage: What History is Better Worth Recognizing?
Many Alaskan officials and Native groups have expressed deep disappointment with the decision, seeing it as a dismissal of the cultural significance that Denali holds for Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. The name “Denali,” passed down through generations, represents an essential part of their spiritual and cultural identity.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy voiced his dismay, stating, “While we respect President McKinley’s legacy, Denali holds profound cultural significance for the Native peoples of Alaska.” He further emphasized that the decision to revert the name was out of touch with the values and wishes of many Alaskans who view Denali as a symbol of their heritage.
For Native groups, the 2015 renaming was seen as a long-overdue step toward correcting a colonial narrative that had erased Indigenous identities in favor of foreign names. Leaders from the Alaska Federation of Natives and other organizations have called the move a setback, arguing that it undermines the progress made in recent years to restore and respect Native Alaskan traditions.

Photo via NPS
Implications and Future Considerations
As the Department of the Interior implements the executive order, discussions about the significance of place names and their impact on cultural identity are likely to continue. This development also raises questions about the process of naming and renaming landmarks, the role of federal authority in such decisions, and the importance of inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders involved.
As the nation moves forward, finding a balance between preserving historical legacies and honoring the cultural significance of Indigenous names remains a nuanced and evolving conversation.
Featured image: Photo via NPS
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Comments 19
We shouldn’t be surprised that one imperialist is eager to honor another. Of course, this is the same guy that wants to change military base names back to those honoring confederate generals…so what does that tell us?
The way things are going, there probably won’t be enough NPS / DOI staff to change maps and signage anyway. Troubling times to say the least.
Katie, thanks so much for this thoughtful discussion on the executive order around Denali in Alaska. My only thoughts as a newer arrival to Alaska are that at the end of the day, no one in Alaska is going to call it anything but Denali. The great one will always be no matter the decisions in Washington D.C.
No one in any number of places including my location will call it anything but Denali.
It remains nothing short of unreal that so many ppl fell for a childish, corrupt, convicted fraud felon, convicted sexual assailant, with a mountain of evidence for treason, obstruction, and on on not once but TWICE.
It remains just as unreal that the other party lost to this concept twice. You can be nearly certain many more name changes of our lands, territories, etc are in short order. The great return to disrespect and me me me is in full swing.
Trump really pulled a stupid one with this renaming. Now we’re back to having the national park named Denali and the mountain named for President McKinley. And what’s worse is that Alaskans have always called the mountain Denali, which is the real reason for having an official name: people call it that already. Furthermore, Trump is likely ticking off people who may have voted for him, which is the essence of political stupidity, especially from a guy who is supposed to be astute about these sorts of things.
If Trump wanted to do something good and undo this woke scourge of the past four years, he would revert the names changed during the Biden administration, especially the big four: Mt. Evans, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, and Clingman’s Dome. I don’t even know what the new names are because they are names no one has ever used before (except maybe Clingman’s Dome’s new name). And the only people who Trump would be ticking off are people who didn’t vote for him.
Hold on – You want to change base names back to those that honored confederate generals such as Bragg? That is a hot take dude.
The confederates were the enemy….and they lost….
Kurt is all about conflict and he wants to make sure you know that. “Woke scourge”.. oh no, someone is using their freedom to do/thnk differently, instead of ignoring something that doesn’t impact me, let me instead feel afraid an troll the internet.
“As the nation moves forward,…” There won’t be much “moving forward” for at least the next four years with the current wrecking crew of criminals, spouse abusers, corporate shills, and incompetent hacks in charge.
This naming nonsense is, possibly, the least worst kind of thing the corrupt, extremist criminal cabal will inflict on the country. Like most of the billionaire-run enterprises kissing up to the bloated bully, Google bent the knee to Agent Orange and said they would obey the Felonious Bigot in Chief and revert to “McKinley,” on Google maps, but as of today (1/31/25), it’s still “Denali” (“20,310-ft. mountain peak, the highest in North American, set in the vast Denali National Park.”) Will they try to rename the whole park as well?
Grab ‘em McFelon is also talking about reverting other recently changed names of military bases (e.g. Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg) to honor the legacy of slavery-supporting traitors. Which makes perfect sense after he issued a blanket pardon for all the January 6 rioter insurrectionists that defaced the Capitol, beat on cops, and interfered with the certification of the election. According to the pathological liar, it was a “day of love.”
Not quite half the voting public has fallen victim to a cult. Not sure how long it will take to overcome this, but we’ll find a way.
While I’m not in agreement with changing the name I do not want to come to an outdoor website to see political posts. Backpacking is a reason to get away from the nonsense, not to be immersed in it.
Thank you for the voice of reason, David. I go into the wilderness to get away from the nonsense. If this is the poison thru-hikers have running through their veins, I’ll definitely continue to be content solo hiking.
Agreed. I hate when the unnecessary stench of politics is added to one of my chosen hobbies.
you don’t get to escape it fascism. it comes to you.
Some people think that it will go away if we just cover our eyes and ears.
Well, it’s relevant new to outdoor public land. This web site doesn’t get very political at all. I think you just didn’t agree with some of the commentary, which you also have a choice not to read.
Many of the comments are political. Last time I checked, one doesn’t know what is written until it’s read.
Well, mate. When your favorite public lands are shut down from lack of funding, or are sold off outright for private development, be sure to stop back in from your fantasy world and let us know how pretending politics isn’t relevant is working out for you.
Well, mate. Not sure if you are directing this to me but if you are you didn’t read my initial comment.
I am sure there were deeply-held, carefully-studied, nuanced, philosophical and principled convictions behind President Trump’s decision.
Said no one, ever. About any of his decisions.
Even back in the day when it was officially called “Mount McKinley,” Alaska locals (including the white folks) and the mountaineering community have always known it as “Denali” and only the uncool gapers and other tourists were clueless enough to call it “Mount McKinley.” If you were 1 of the less popular kids and then you finally acquired a cheat code that allowed you to hang with the cool kids, why would you then decide to go back to being uncool on purpose?!