Trump Signs Executive Order to Change Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’

President Donald Trump officially renamed Lake Ontario to "Lake America" through an executive order signed on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The move comes amidst a deepening trade dispute between the United States and Canada, with the President citing ongoing trade disagreements as a reason for the change. While the order directs U.S. federal agencies to adopt the new name, it is largely symbolic and does not obligate Canada or international organizations to recognize the alteration.

This executive action follows heightened tensions and a series of reciprocal tariffs imposed by both nations. Just days prior, President Trump had publicly floated the idea of renaming the lake on social media, accusing Canada of unfair trade practices. The lake, historically known as Ontario from an Indigenous term meaning "lake of shining waters," borders both the U.S. state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario.

This is not the first instance of President Trump attempting to rename a body of water; he previously signed an executive order to change the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" during his second term. The recent renaming of Lake Ontario further underscores the escalating rhetoric and actions in the ongoing economic disagreements between the two neighboring countries.