The Trouble With Trump’s Attempt to Rename Lake Ontario

On August 27, 2026, President Donald Trump, whose approval rating had plummeted, attempted to rewrite cartographic history by renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America" via executive order. This unilateral move would necessitate the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to update its databases, erasing all references to the lake's original name, Lake Ontario.

The renaming would apply to all U.S. federal maps, documents, and communications. However, experts noted that Trump couldn't compel other countries, international organizations, private mapping firms, or U.S. state governments to adopt the new name. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly stated that Canada would maintain the traditional name "Lake Ontario" "today and forever." New York Governor Kathy Hochul also rejected Trump's proposed name on New York state maps.

Our analysis, informed by years of research in political toponymy, reveals Trump's impulsive renaming as a reckless and low-stakes act of political rage baiting. This action is part of a pattern where Trump leverages place naming to bolster his "America First" narrative. Since taking office, Trump has proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America" and even toyed with the possibility of renaming the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans as "American Ocean" or "Ocean of America."

This tit-for-tat renaming strategy, referred to as "toponymic narcissism," demonstrates Trump's obsession with linking place names to his own identity. The risks extend beyond mere symbolism, as these changes could impact educational materials, Indigenous reconciliation efforts, and the restoration of U.S.-Canada relations. However, there is a glimmer of hope: a future president could potentially reverse these changes, attempting to restore America's global image.