{
  "id": 3985946,
  "title": "Globemakers are torn over Trump's 'Lake America' move",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/globemakers-are-torn-over-trumps-lake-america-move",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T14:31:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/globemakers-torn-trump-lake-america-ontario-name-change-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Globemakers are divided over how to react to President Donald Trump's recent decision to rename Lake Ontario as \"Lake America\" via executive order. This move has left makers of physical maps and globes in a perplexing situation, as they grapple with the implications of political changes to geographical names.\n\nJoseph C. Wright, CEO of Replogle Globes, a 96-year-old company, acknowledges the challenges brought about by such name changes. While his company has adapted to previous shifts in the world map, including the fall of the Soviet Union and name changes in African nations, he highlights the added uncertainty when a change is pending. This uncertainty affects potential buyers, who may delay purchases until a final decision is made.\n\nFurthermore, international acceptance of the new name is another concern. Some nations may not recognize the renamed \"Lake America,\" leading to potential resistance. This issue was evident when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed \"Gulf of America\" in January 2025, with the UK, Mexico, and China rejecting the change. Even Google faced a legal dispute with Mexico over the matter.\n\nOn the other hand, some globemakers have decided to disregard the political changes. Chris Adams, the founder of UK-based Lander & May Globemakers, believes that the Lake America name change should have no impact on their business. They continue to update their products based on international standards rather than the whims of a single individual.\n\nIn contrast, Paul Norrell, the owner of Seattle-based 1-World Globes & Maps, is leaving the decision to their customers. As they print wall maps to order, customers can request updates like \"Gulf of America\" and \"Lake America\" at no extra charge. However, Norrell notes that world globes are updated less frequently and in larger batches, making it less likely for them to adapt to the new name.\n\nThe political attention on place names has, however, had a positive effect on the map business. It has attracted more interest from the general public, with companies like MapQuest choosing not to update their digital maps. Overall, the globemaking industry finds itself navigating a complex landscape where political changes to geographical names present both challenges and opportunities.",
  "summary": "After President Donald Trump renamed Lake Ontario by executive order, globemakers were left with the decision of whether to update their maps.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}