Trump’s Plans to Rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’

Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Past financial analyses of such initiatives suggest that it could impose significant costs on U.S. taxpayers. After U.S.-Canada trade negotiations broke down in August, Trump indicated serious consideration for the change, asserting diminished business prospects with Ontario.

On August 27, Trump issued an executive order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to ensure all federal references to Lake Ontario reflect its new name. “We’re on it, Mr. President!” Burgum announced online. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has updated to “Lake America,” and companies like Google and Apple have followed suit, though not all providers have.

Beyond updating software and signage, experts predict a range of expenses as public and private entities work to implement the name change.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of the Interior, seeking comment and is waiting for a response.

A Costly Rebrand

The executive order included guidelines for updating federal geographic data and removing “Lake Ontario” from websites. Compliance by agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Aviation Administration would incur significant administrative costs.

Linda Bilmes, a public policy lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School, noted these changes are complex and expensive. During her time at the National Park Service Advisory Board, similar initiatives led to administrative expenses.

Oswego, New York Mayor Robert Corradino estimated costs for updating civic references as several thousand dollars, posing a financial strain for the small city.

The city government opposes Trump’s order and supports retaining the existing name.

Bilmes highlighted the physical labor required to update printed materials, road and park signage, and trail markers. Philip G. Joyce from Maryland University noted that estimating total costs is difficult but expected ripple effects.

A comparison by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the “Gulf of America” change estimated costs around $500,000 over five years. However, state-level changes, like in New York, could incur further expenses linked to program coordination and public alerts.

Michael C. Dorf from Cornell warned about potential strains on New York from Trump’s order.

Mike Shriberg from the University of Michigan’s Water Center estimated disruptions to environmental data and research collaboration, costing agencies and researchers millions.

Joyce questioned the substantive benefits of such renaming, defining any failure to offer citizens benefits as waste.

Trump’s Renaming Strategy

Following his January inauguration, Trump began renaming departments and landmarks to “honor American greatness.” Projects included changing the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” and the Department of Defense to “Department of War,” with CBO estimating costs potentially reaching hundreds of millions.

Polling indicates low support for these efforts, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll finding only 14 percent backing the Lake Ontario change; 63 percent opposed, including 43 percent of Republicans.

Trump persists in proposing further changes like renaming the Strait of Hormuz. On social media, he mentioned altering New Mexico’s name to “NEW AMERICA” as “more prestigious.”

The cost analysis of renaming Lake Ontario appeared in a Newsweek newsletter. Subscribers can follow fiscal debates affecting finances weekly.

Contact Newsweek editors Daniel Orton and James Debens for further information.