Lake Ontario naming dispute
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" for U.S. federal use.
The change splits maps and names for a lake shared with Canada.
Background
The renaming followed failed trade talks between the U.S. and Canada, with the Trump administration imposing 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Trump justified the change by arguing the lake's deepest part lies on the American side. The lake, known as Lake Ontario for more than 400 years, sits between Canada's Ontario province and New York State.
How it unfolded
- Aug 27, 2026President Trump signs an executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" for U.S. federal use, following failed trade talks with Canada.
- Aug 29, 2026A new sign for Lake Ontario is photographed at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario.
- Sep 6, 2026Trump posts an image suggesting New Mexico could be renamed "New America"; the White House shares it, with no explanation of any formal plan.
- Sep 8, 2026Debate continues; Rep. Joe Morelle and others try to stop the change, while the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary retains its name.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Canada and New York have said they will keep calling it Lake Ontario.
- Support
- Trump justified the change by arguing the lake's deepest part lies on the American side, meaning the U.S. "claims most of the lake's volume."
- Caution
- Rep. Joe Morelle and others are trying to stop the change, with local officials welcoming Canadian visitors back.
- Public
- Local resident Pierce said, "There was no talk about changing the name. It was always Lake Ontario. It's a good descriptive, native name."
Still unverified
Whether the renaming will become permanent; the Board on Geographic Names has 30 days to make it official. Trump's suggestion to rename New Mexico had no formal order or policy plan.