Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America
Politics — 2026-08-27 16:52:00 — www.washingtonpost.com
Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed ‘Lake America’ Amid Feud With Canada
In a striking move that escalates his ongoing conflict with Canada, President Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” The decision, signed in the Oval Office on Thursday, directs the U.S. Interior Department to update geographic information systems to reflect the new name for the lake, which sits between New York and Canada.
Trump’s Broadside Against Canada
President Trump’s order comes as part of a broader dispute with Canadian officials over trade. In the same meeting, Trump disparaged Canadian government officials, stating that those “playing hardball on trade” are “nasty people.” This comment underscores the president’s combative approach to international negotiations and his willingness to publicly attack foreign officials.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims and Actions
The renaming of Lake Ontario is unprecedented and has no historical basis. Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes, named long before the founding of the United States, and its name is recognized internationally. The president’s directive to unilaterally rename the lake raises questions about the legal authority for such a change, as international bodies and Canada would also need to agree to any official alteration.
Trump’s characterization of Canadian officials as “nasty people” is a personal attack that further strains diplomatic relations. This rhetoric fits a pattern of disparaging remarks made by the president toward foreign leaders and officials during contentious negotiations.
Conclusion
President Trump’s order to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” and his public criticism of Canadian officials mark a new escalation in his feud with Canada. The move is not only diplomatically provocative but also factually questionable, as the authority to rename a binational body of water is not solely within the U.S. president’s power. Trump’s statements and actions in this episode highlight his confrontational style and disregard for established international norms, leaving both the name of the lake and U.S.-Canada relations mired in controversy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/27/trump-signs-order-changing-name-lake-ontario/