Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America' amid trade dispute

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America," a move he claims is effective immediately. The large body of water is shared by the United States and Canada.

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We're going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario effective immediately to Lake America.

Speaking from the White House, the 80-year-old Republican stated, "We're going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario effective immediately to Lake America." He further elaborated on his decision, telling reporters, "The Canadian officials have treated us very badly. They're nasty people."

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The Canadian officials have treated us very badly. They're nasty people.

The name change, which Canada is unlikely to accept, mirrors a previous action by Trump in January 2025 when he renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump suggested this was a long-considered action, stating, "The lake change, Lake of America, was something I've been thinking about for a long time, actually."

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The lake change, Lake of America, was something I've been thinking about for a long time, actually.

Trump then mused about further renaming efforts, suggesting that if the U.S. has a "Gulf and we have a lake," the next logical step might be to rename oceans. "So, maybe we'll have to change the name of the Atlantic and/or the Pacific. Maybe we'll change them both," he said.

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So, maybe we'll have to change the name of the Atlantic and/or the Pacific. Maybe we'll change them both.