White House responds to John Mellencamp criticizing ‘Gulf of America’ name change

(NEXSTAR) – A representative of the White House has responded to John Mellencamp’s recent remarks about President Trump directing federal agencies to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

Mellencamp, who references the Gulf of Mexico in the lyrics of his song “Pink Houses,” criticized the change during at least two recent performances on his “Dancing Words Tour.” Footage from concerts in New York and New Jersey show Mellencamp briefly breaking from the song’s third verse to share his thoughts with the audience.

“Wait a minute. The Gulf of Mexico? Is that right? It’s not the Gulf of America?” Mellencamp mockingly asked the crowd at his show in Holmdel, New Jersey, on July 25. He then adds, “What a stupid f—ing idea that is.”

Another recent video shows Mellencamp, 74, pausing during “Pink Houses” to remark, “Wait a minute. Is it really still the Gulf of Mexico? They changed the name of it but I’m not buying it… That’s just not........

© The Hill