Trump Signs Executive Order to Rename Lake Ontario to Lake America

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. This decision comes as cross-border relations with Canada are reportedly deteriorating amid ongoing trade negotiations. During a statement from the White House, Trump criticized Canada's trade practices, stating, "Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade." He also mentioned the U.S. military's role in defending Canada without compensation, saying, "We defend Canada for nothing. We don’t get anything." Trump further commented that Canada desires to be treated like a U.S. state, but he believes that is not feasible. Earlier in the week, Trump had previewed the name change on social media, sharing a map with the new designation on Truth Social.