Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps for US users after Trump ordered name change

Google has updated its Maps application to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' for users in the United States, following an order by President Donald Trump. The change comes amid an escalating trade war with Canada, which led to the imposition of billions of dollars in tariffs on each other's goods. Google explained in a blog post that the decision was based on the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and was designed to reflect the names used by the United States, while users in Canada and other regions would continue to see 'Lake Ontario.'

The move drew both mockery and indifference in both countries, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford responding by placing a billboard-sized message on the Canadian shore stating, "Lake Ontario. Now and forever."