AI Generated Image
Trump’s "Lake America" rebrand could cost millions
Newsweek • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" following a breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade talks, directing federal agencies to update all references accordingly.
- The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has been updated, and some companies like Google and Apple have begun implementing the change, though not all providers have complied.
- Experts warn that the renaming will incur significant administrative and financial costs for federal and local agencies, including updating signage, maps, and printed materials, with estimates potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- New York state, which borders Lake Ontario, opposes the change and has no plans to implement it, while environmental experts highlight concerns over disruptions to long-term scientific data and collaboration.
- This renaming is part of Trump's broader "Great American Renaming" initiative, which has faced widespread public opposition, with only 14% of Americans supporting the Lake Ontario name change according to recent polling.
