Google Maps users in the U.S. woke up to a very different name for Lake Ontario. The update came days after Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the name change, with Google later explaining why it chose to make the change.
In the meantime, other key mapping services operating in the country have yet to follow suit.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Interior Department to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” amid escalating tensions between the two countries over trade.
Now, Google Maps, an online mapping service that provides detailed geographic information about locations, has made the change in response to the order.
However, the change is specific to users in the United States, as Canadian users will continue to see “Lake Ontario.” Meanwhile, people accessing the map from other countries will see both names displayed.
“These updates follow our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now,” said Google, the company that owns the online mapping service.
Donald Trump Has Been Criticized Over The Decision
Key U.S. politicians have since criticized Trump’s decision following his signing of the order.
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul declared that “New York won’t be calling it by the updated name,” while quoting an X post from the White House informing social media users of the change.
Phil Scott, the Republican governor of neighboring Vermont, also followed suit, remarking on what Trump’s move would mean for the trade war between the two countries.
“This is petty and disappointing. We should be at the negotiating table, finding a path forward that strengthens both the U.S. and Canadian economies,” he wrote. “Further escalating tensions does nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses.”
Other Mapping Services Have Yet To Make The Change
MapQuest, another mapping service like Google Maps, took a contrasting position on the matter.
“We’re not changing the name of Lake Ontario. Name it whatever you want at your leisure,” it wrote on X.
Apple, another company that offers a mapping service, has yet to make the change, although Interior Secretary Doug Burgum claimed it may happen soon, as Trump has lobbied the company to do so.
“The President has reached out to Apple directly,” the government official said in an interview with Fox Business’ Mornings. “I’m sure we might see that change coming soon.”
Donald Trump Has Attempted Renaming Other Landmarks
3Lake Ontario is not the first major landmark Trump has targeted to have a name change.
In January 2025, he signed an executive order directing the Interior Department to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
The order also called for Alaska’s highest peak to be referred to as Mount McKinley instead of Denali in federal use.
Both decisions once again drew heavy criticism from stakeholders following Trump’s making the changes.
At the moment, Alaska’s state government and Indigenous communities continue to use Denali. Meanwhile, Mexico and other countries have also chosen not to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump’s Renaming Push Extends To The Kennedy Center
3Even institutions like the Kennedy Center have not been spared from Trump’s renaming antics.
Late last year, a Trump-appointed board voted to add the president’s name to the building as “Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
A federal judge later ruled that only Congress could change the Kennedy Center’s official name and ordered Trump’s name removed from the building.
However, Trump’s appointed board recently appeared to make moves to renege on that order, as they sought to attach Trump’s name to buildings within the center that will be renovated with money the president helped secure.
The move was once again opposed by a former board official, Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, and the matter remains in court.
