During Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term as president, a moment involving Hillary Clinton quickly became the talk of the internet. As Trump announced his plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” Clinton, seated directly behind him, couldn’t suppress her amusement. She burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking as cameras captured her reaction. The moment, broadcast live, spread rapidly across social media, with one video on X (formerly Twitter) amassing over 9 million views.
Hillary laughing at Trump announcing he’s renaming the Gulf Of Mexico to the Gulf of America 😂 pic.twitter.com/UWypR7d8vb
— Adam (@AdamJSmithGA) January 20, 2025
In his speech, Trump declared his intent to restore America’s “rightful place” as the world’s greatest power. Alongside renaming the Gulf, he promised to revert Mount Denali to its former name, Mount McKinley, honoring the 25th U.S. president. The bold claims didn’t just elicit laughter from Clinton; they also reignited debates on social media, drawing both praise and criticism.
Clinton’s reaction epitomized the tension between the two political rivals, whose animosity dates back to the contentious 2016 election. Trump’s campaign rallies often featured chants of “lock her up,” targeting Clinton for her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. Meanwhile, Clinton consistently criticized Trump’s policies and behavior, describing him as “unfit to lead” and increasingly “unstable” over the years.
Trump’s plan to rename the Gulf has already faced backlash. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mocked the idea earlier this month, sarcastically suggesting North America could be renamed “América Mexicana.” While some social media users applauded Clinton’s open laughter as a fitting response, others called it disrespectful, reigniting debates over political decorum.
Despite the controversy, Trump’s administration has yet to enact the name change. However, with several executive orders already signed in his first days back in office, including those targeting immigration, the nation remains sharply divided. As tensions persist, Clinton’s viral moment has become a symbol of the enduring rivalry and the cultural polarization defining America today.