Renaming of Lake Ontario

Brianna Lyman, an elections correspondent for The Federalist, gathered reactions from New Yorkers regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America.’ This move came amid ongoing tensions with Canada, particularly related to trade issues.

Public Reactions

A Canadian fan at the FIBA World Cup voiced her displeasure by displaying a sign that read “Lake America?” on one side and “Lake Ontario!!” on the other. This showcased the discontent the renaming has caused among some Canadians.

Executive Order Details

President Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office renaming Lake Ontario. He referenced previous changes like labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Trump stated that the U.S. has been a strong protector of the Great Lakes, providing security and investment that benefit recreation and shipping.

This executive order directed the Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, to update the Geographic Names Information System with the new name. Though the change may be accepted in the U.S., it has not been well-received in Canada.

Impact on Sports Events

Despite this controversy, the Canadian fan still attended a game where Team USA played in the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The U.S. team won impressively against China, with Caitlin Clark achieving a double-double by scoring 14 points and providing 11 assists in her international debut. Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard also added 14 points each.