The article, published by Folha in Brazil, highlights an online dispute involving Trump supporters and the artist Bad Bunny, who contends that 'America' does not refer solely to a nation but to an entire continent. This stance touches upon a historical misunderstanding regarding the naming of America, which was first attributed to the lands explored by the Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci. The piece recounts how the term was popularized based on a cartographer's error in the early 16th century.

The author delves into the story of Martin Waldseemüller, the German cartographer who mistakenly named the continent after Vespucci, who had extensively traveled and written about his explorations. Waldseemüller produced a map in 1507 that inaccurately depicted America, which included parts of North America and the Caribbean, along with a significant southern landmass. Despite acknowledging his error in later years, the name was already widely adopted and remained. Vespucci's accounts were highly influential and widely circulated during his time, contributing to the spread of the name.

In accounting for these historical nuances, the article suggests that contemporary debates, like the one involving Bad Bunny, reflect a misunderstanding of historical geography and the origins of names. It serves as a commentary on how cultural narratives can be shaped by historical inaccuracies, particularly in a politically charged climate. The mention of the accuracy of Bad Bunny's statement aligns with broader discussions of identity and the significance of names in relation to cultural heritage across the Americas.