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

<p>President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' on August 27, 2026. </p><p><strong>Context: </strong>The president is acting on a previous statement regarding the lake following the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations.</p><hr /><ul><li>It is uncertain whether Trump has the authority to rename a body of water that is shared between the United States and Canada, similar to an order he signed last year renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America.'</li></ul><p><strong>Background: </strong>Trump has made multiple posts on social media recently about renaming the lake, indicating that the U.S. does not anticipate significant business with Ontario in the future.</p><ul><li>He has shared images depicting the lake as 'Lake America.'</li></ul><p><strong>Statistics: </strong>Approximately 47% of the lake, which borders the Canadian province of Ontario, is located within the United States.</p><p><strong>Quote: </strong>In the executive order, Trump stated, 'The United States is the greatest protector of the Great Lakes, including the body of water currently known as Lake Ontario.' He added, 'The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America's future and the global economy. In recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation's economy and its people, I am directing that the Lake officially be renamed as Lake America.'</p><p><strong>Implementation: </strong>The order instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and his department to update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming within 30 days. It mandates that all federal government references to the lake refer to it as 'Lake America' going forward.</p><p><strong>Further Reading: </strong><a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/trump-french-language-canada-lake-ontario">"Lake America": Trump turns Canada feud toward Lake Ontario</a></p>