Tony EversPierre PicardPete HoekstraRuss DiaboDonald TrumpMark CarneyWendat NationMapQuestRochester City Council

Indigenous leaders condemn Trump's move to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America; Wisconsin governor signs napkin to rename Lake Michigan 'Lake Wisconsin'

Indigenous leaders condemned President Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, calling it an attempt to erase their history. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers humorously signed a napkin to rename Lake Michigan 'Lake Wisconsin,' highlighting the absurdity of the situation amid widespread backlash.

Global News Global News28 August 2026 · 21:13 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Indigenous leaders are outraged after President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, which they view as an attempt to erase their cultural history.12

Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard expressed his shock, stating, "I want to tell him that it is unacceptable for us, as a nation, to have a president who can eradicate our history, our culture and our identity."

In response, American mapping company MapQuest announced it would not comply with the name change, while Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed that the lake will always be known as Lake Ontario.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers humorously signed a napkin to rename Lake Michigan as Lake Wisconsin, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

The city council in Rochester, NY, unanimously condemned Trump's decision, declaring their commitment to the original name.

Mohawk policy analyst Russ Diabo criticized the renaming as "totally asinine," reflecting a broader sentiment of frustration among Indigenous communities regarding Trump's actions.

Key Insight
“Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, posted a video signing a fast-food napkin to decree Lake Michigan as 'Lake Wisconsin.' Rochester, NY's city council unanimously passed a proclamation vowing to keep using the Lake Ontario name.”
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Global NewsGlobal News
“Indigenous leaders and advocates are outraged after U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to change the name of to Lake America.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Indigenous leaders condemn Trump's move to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America; Mohawk analyst calls it 'totally asinine'
Toronto Star
Indigenous leaders condemn Trump's move to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America; Mohawk analyst calls it 'totally asinine'

Indigenous leaders and advocates are outraged after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.

Indigenous Leaders OutrageLake America NameLake Ontario Rename
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, prompting outrage from Indigenous leaders and advocates.
  • Mohawk policy analyst Russ Diabo called the name change 'totally asinine' and attributed it to Trump's 'racism towards anything Indigenous.'
  • Wendat Nation Grand Chief Pierre Picard expressed his outrage, accusing Trump of 'attempting to eradicate our history.'
  • Picard stated that the name change strikes a direct blow to 'the very heart of our Wendat identity' and plans to meet with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra soon.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the lake's historical significance, asserting it will be known as Lake Ontario 'then, now and always.'
Donald Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed Lake America, a move that applies only to U.S. government agencies and maps; Canada and most of the world will ignore it
The Globe and MailThe Globe and Mail
Donald Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed Lake America, a move that applies only to U.S. government agencies and maps; Canada and most of the world will ignore it

President Donald Trump ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario, but critics note he didn't consider the lake's size or the lesson of King Canute, whose command to halt the tides was ignored.

Associated PressFort Bragg RestorationGeography Knowledge
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • President Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America, a move that will apply only to U.S. government agencies and maps.
  • Trump has a history of giving nicknames to political rivals, including 'Little Marco' for Marco Rubio, 'Crooked Hillary' for Hillary Clinton, and 'Sleepy Joe' for Joe Biden.
  • In his second inauguration, Trump vowed to change the name of Denali, the highest peak in North America, to Mount McKinley.
  • Trump's move to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America sparked a lawsuit from the Associated Press.
  • The administration restored Fort Bragg's name, originally honoring Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, after it had been renamed Fort Liberty.
  • Mr. Trump's geographical knowledge is shaky; he didn't know that the Canadian province was named for the lake, not the other way around.
Dingell plans bill to keep Lake Ontario's name, vowing to 'block President Trump's idiotic order' to rename it Lake America
CBS NewsCBS News
Dingell plans bill to keep Lake Ontario's name, vowing to 'block President Trump's idiotic order' to rename it Lake America

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell plans to introduce federal legislation next week to require that the historic name of Lake Ontario be retained in the United States, striking a potential blow to President Trump's efforts to rename it Lake America.

Department Of The InteriorDingell LegislationGreat Lakes Protection
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell plans to introduce federal legislation next week to require that the historic name of Lake Ontario be retained in the United States, striking a potential blow to President Trump's efforts to rename it "Lake America."
  • Dingell's office confirmed her plans to CBS News Detroit on Friday, expanding upon the opposition she has voiced publicly on social media since Mr. Trump first suggested renaming one of the Great Lakes to Lake America.
  • Dingell stated her intentions to "block President Trump's idiotic order," saying "The Great Lakes are a shared treasure that generations of Americans and Canadians have worked together to protect. Donald Trump can sign all the executive orders he wants, but it will always be Lake Ontario."
Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed to Lake America; Google says U.S. users will see new name while others see both
USA TodayUSA Today
Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed to Lake America; Google says U.S. users will see new name while others see both

Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 27 instructing the Department of the Interior to formalize the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America within 30 days.

Department Of The InteriorGeographic Name ChangeGoogle India
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump orders the name change of Lake Ontario to Lake America.
  • Google said it will follow official government sources and show local names when they vary between countries, so U.S. users may see Lake America while others see both names.
  • Trump suggested renaming the Atlantic and/or Pacific oceans, saying, "If you think about it, we have a gulf, and we have a lake, now all we need is an ocean."
  • While Trump can legally change U.S. references to geographic landmarks, the change does not apply internationally, especially for a shared body of water, and no governing body can force other countries to use the new name.
Trump's 'Lake America' renaming is foreboding but won't happen; he lacks unilateral power and Canada won't recognize it
The Washington Post
Trump's 'Lake America' renaming is foreboding but won't happen; he lacks unilateral power and Canada won't recognize it

Trump's threat to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' is bluster, lacking unilateral authority, and intended to pressure Canada over tariffs and trade.

Binational ProcessCanada PressureGreat Lakes
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump has no real ability to unilaterally change the lake's name; his threat is bluster meant to disparage and pressure Canada over tariffs and trade agreements.
  • Even if the U.S. adopts 'Lake America' domestically, Washington cannot compel Canada or other nations to recognize it, and the binational renaming process makes it a nonstarter.
  • Moving too hard against Canada could boomerang, inciting global outrage and domestic pushback from Canada's American friends.
  • The bluster might draw attention to Lake Ontario's environmental degradation, which includes microplastics, sewage, forever chemicals, and toxics; the 1970s Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement has been underfunded.
Backlash grows after Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, called 'height of insanity'; Canadian officials slam move as 'distraction'
CTV News
Backlash grows after Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, called 'height of insanity'; Canadian officials slam move as 'distraction'

Trump renames Lake Ontario to Lake America in the states, sparking backlash.

Backlash GrowsCanada ReactionChapman'S
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump has signed an order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, which has sparked significant backlash.
  • The backlash has been described as the 'height of insanity' by critics.
  • Peter MacKay claims Trump's goal is to 'distract' Canadians with petty outrage.
  • Manitoba Premier Kinew stated that Trump is 'over the hill' and 'a little sad'.
  • Current trade talks are in limbo as Canada is accused of lying for political gain.
  • Chapman’s CEO mentioned that the shift away from the U.S. has been 'easier than we ever thought'.
MapQuest refuses to rename Lake Ontario after Trump's executive order, saying 'We're not changing it'
Toronto Star
MapQuest refuses to rename Lake Ontario after Trump's executive order, saying 'We're not changing it'

MapQuest stated it will not change the name of Lake Ontario, saying “We’re not changing it” in a post displaying a map of the lake.

Lake America RenameLake Ontario NameMapquest Lake Ontario
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America.
  • MapQuest stated it will not change the name of Lake Ontario, saying 'We're not changing it' in a post displaying a map of the lake.
  • In a follow-up post, MapQuest jokingly invited people who want to change the lake’s name to use an online generator, giving the example 'Lake Are We Doing This Again?'.
Trump renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' by executive order; New York governor says 'New York won't be calling it that'
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera
Trump renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' by executive order; New York governor says 'New York won't be calling it that'

Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, effective immediately, linked to trade tensions with Canada.

Board On Geographic NamesGeographic Names BoardIndigenous Culture Erasure
2026-08-28
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'.
  • The secretary of the interior is directed to work with the Board on Geographic Names over the next 30 days, which discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason.
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul has rejected the name change, stating, “New York won’t be calling it that,” in response to the White House announcement.
  • Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston criticized the move, calling it “real foolishness.”
  • Experts warn that the name change could damage US-Canada relations and may not assist in the ongoing trade war, as it inflames opinions in Canada.
  • Experts note that the name change lacks authority over private entities and may face challenges, as it is a transnational water body and other jurisdictions are not obliged to follow.
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