Google Maps updates lake Ontario name following U.S. presidential order

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America." This decision, which takes place amid escalating trade tensions and reciprocal tariffs between the United States and Canada, aims to alter the official designation of the lake, which sits on the international border. While the change has no international legal status, it has been met with strong opposition from Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who dismissed the move as absurd.

Following the order, Google updated its mapping service to reflect the change for users located in the United States, citing its policy of aligning with the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). According to Google, users in Canada will continue to see the name "Lake Ontario," while users outside North America may see both names. The White House has publicly celebrated the update, with Communications Director Steven Cheung confirming the change on social media. No further official comments were provided by the Canadian government regarding the long-term implications of this naming dispute.