Trump's Renaming Spreads to Lake Ontario on Google Maps
Google Maps has altered its display for U.S. users to show Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on August 27.
The renaming is part of a broader strategy to assert American influence over shared landmarks, according to the president. The move comes amid escalating trade tensions with Canada and new tariffs imposed on U.S. imports from its northern neighbor.
Criticism has already been voiced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who emphasized the historical significance of the name Lake Ontario, which dates back over 400 years.
MapQuest announced it will not be updating the lake's name, instead allowing users to create their own names for the lake. This decision contrasts with Google Maps' adoption of the 'Lake America' label.