White House Responds to John Mellencamp’s Criticism of Trump’s Gulf Name Change

The White House has issued a response following John Mellencamp’s criticism of former President Donald Trump’s decision to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” During a performance in Holmdel, N.J., on his “Dancing Words” Tour, Mellencamp paused his show to mock the executive order.

On Monday, Davis Ingle, a spokesman for the White House, shared a statement with Fox News Digital. “Nobody in their right mind cares what out-of-touch, woke Hollywood celebrities have to say,” Ingle stated. Mellencamp had commented on the name change while performing his hit song “Pink Houses,” known for its critique of the American dream and social inequality.

As Mellencamp’s band played, he sarcastically questioned the renaming, saying, “The Gulf of Mexico? Is that right? It’s not the Gulf of America? What a stupid idea.” He continued with his performance after the comment.

“Pink Houses,” released in 1983, is one of Mellencamp’s most popular songs. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and addresses themes of class and the gap between ideals and reality. Mellencamp has remarked that despite its popular patriotic embrace, the song is a critical commentary on American society.

The reaction to Mellencamp’s critique follows similar responses from the White House to other celebrities who have voiced opposition to Trump’s actions in the past.