Joe Rogan Criticizes Trump’s Decision to Rename Lake Ontario

On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, podcaster Joe Rogan criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America.’ Rogan suggested that the move is a distraction from the ongoing conflict with Iran. During the episode with comedian Brian Simpson, Rogan, who has been vocal about the Trump administration’s role in the Iran war, argued that the renaming could shift focus from a conflict he believes the U.S. cannot win.

Trump signed an executive order on August 27 that mandated the use of ‘Lake America’ in U.S. federal geographic naming systems. This change comes amid deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations and increased trade tensions. However, the name change does not affect Canada’s continued use of the name Lake Ontario nor does it establish a new international name for the lake.

To distract you from the fact that we’re in a war that we can’t win in Iran, Rogan said when discussing what he believes the renaming aims to achieve. He added, It doesn’t make any sense. Like who cares, it’s Lake Ontario, it’s a good name, we’ve had that name forever.

Rogan has consistently criticized how Trump has managed the conflict with Iran. Earlier this year, he questioned the decision to enter the war and suggested that Israel might have influenced the U.S. to get involved. Rogan warns that Trump’s supporters may feel let down by the decision to go to war, situating his latest comments within a broader context of criticism over the conflict.

The controversy over Lake America’s name has become a significant political and cultural issue. Google now refers to it as ‘Lake America’ for U.S. users but maintains ‘Lake Ontario’ in Canada, highlighting the limited scope of the federal name change.

Public Opinion on Iran War and ‘Lake America’

Rogan’s comments coincide with a challenging period for the Trump administration. The U.S. continues military actions in Iran while public support for the war falls. A recent poll from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reported 68% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s management of the Iran conflict, and 54% disapprove of U.S. military actions there. Only 25% believe Trump has handled the war well. The poll, conducted from August 21 to 26, 2026, surveyed 1,000 respondents with a margin of error of 3.5%.

A YouGov/Economist poll last month reflected a similar sentiment, with Trump’s approval rating on Iran at 30% and disapproval at 62%. It found 25% support the war decision, while 57% oppose it. This poll surveyed 1,611 U.S. adults from August 14 to 17, 2026, with a 3.4% margin of error.

Regarding the renaming of Lake Ontario, a YouGov/Economist survey from August 28 to 31, 2026, shows that 17% approve and 68% disapprove. The poll queried 1,592 U.S. adults and holds a margin of error of 3.5%.

Similarly, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from the same period revealed only 14% support the renaming, while 63% oppose it. This survey included 1,023 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 4%.