Canada Rejects Trump's Executive Order Renaming Lake Ontario
The Story
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 27, 2026, renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" in federal documents, amid an escalating trade war with Canada.
The move was accompanied by props displaying the new name in a specific font during an Oval Office signing ceremony. Rumors about Trump's desire to rename the lake circulated prior to the order. Online claims that Canadian officials were refusing passage to ships bound for 'Lake America' and that Trump planned to build a 'Melania Canal' have been investigated and found to be false.
An altered French map from 1688 was also shared online to claim the lake was originally named 'Lac America.' Lake Ontario's name originates from Indigenous people inhabiting the nearby area. Trump is also selling "Lake America" branded hats. Late-night host Seth Meyers described the rebranding as real dork s--t, and columnist Joe Concha reacted to Representative Debbie Dingell's response to the renaming.
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