Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps for U.S. users after Trump ordered name change
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-08-30 17:38:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Orders Google Maps to Rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” Amid U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions
President Donald Trump has issued an order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the United States, according to Google, which updated its maps application to reflect the change. The move comes during an escalating trade war between the U.S. and Canada, with both countries imposing billions of dollars in tariffs on each other’s goods.
Trump’s Naming Order Sparks International Reaction
Trump’s decision to rename the lake was met with widespread mockery and indifference in both Canada and the United States. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded with a billboard-sized message on the Canadian shore declaring, “Lake Ontario. Now and forever.” The White House and Canadian officials did not immediately comment on Google’s update.
Google Follows U.S. Government Naming Directives
Google stated that its decision was based on its policy of using names assigned by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). For users in the U.S., the lake now appears as “Lake America,” while Canadian users continue to see “Lake Ontario.” International users will see both names.
Pattern of Renaming
This is not the first time Trump has issued such an order. In 2025, he directed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” on U.S. maps, a move similarly echoed by Google at the time.
Conclusion
President Trump’s order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” is the latest in a series of unilateral naming decisions that have drawn criticism and ridicule at home and abroad. While Google and other companies may follow official U.S. government designations, the broader response underscores ongoing tensions and the contentious nature of such symbolic actions.