Trump Issues Executive Order to Rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'

President Donald Trump on August 27, 2026, issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' as part of an initiative titled 'Make the Great Lakes Even Greater.' This action follows a collapsed trade deal with Canada, increasing tensions between the two nations. Trump argues that the renaming is justified because the United States invests more in the lake than Canada does. According to the executive order, 'The United States is the greatest protector of the Great Lakes, including the body of water currently known as Lake Ontario.' The order states that the U.S. Coast Guard operates 9 of the 11 ice-breaking vessels on the Great Lakes and has invested nearly $4 billion in the Great Lakes ecosystem over the past decade, while Canada has invested less. The decision to rename the lake aligns with Trump's previous branding efforts, which have included renaming various entities and initiatives. However, it is noted that Trump cannot compel Canada or other countries to adopt this new name, and it remains uncertain if news and mapping organizations will comply.