MapQuest Rejects Renaming Lake Ontario Amidst Trump’s Executive Order

MapQuest announced it will not change the name of Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America,’ following President Donald Trump’s directive for federal use. The mapping service affirmed their stance in a viral social media post, showcasing a screenshot that maintained Lake Ontario’s original name.

MapQuest further engaged users by launching a name generator, allowing them to rename the lake as they please. This initiative reinforced their decision with a creative twist, encouraging public interaction.

Trump’s Executive Order

President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ for U.S. federal purposes. This came after trade discussions between the U.S. and Canada fell through, intensifying tensions. Trump criticized Canada, labeling it as difficult to negotiate with on trade matters. The president cited the lake’s role in American trade, defense, and protection efforts as justification for the name change.

The White House stated the U.S. Geological Survey now lists the lake as ‘Lake America’ in official electronic documents.

This executive order affects only U.S. federal usage, leaving Canadian and private entities free to retain ‘Lake Ontario.’ Trump’s similar rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico the previous year set a precedent.

Reactions to MapQuest’s Response

MapQuest’s humorous take on the executive order caused widespread buzz online. The company’s actions attracted attention from various users, including Eric Trump, who humorously commented on the service’s unexpected revival.

MapQuest’s name generator also emerged as a popular tool, enabling users to craft their own interpretations of the lake’s name.

Political and Public Pushback

The proposed name change encountered criticism from multiple fronts. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney referenced the indigenous origin of ‘Ontario,’ emphasizing its deep historical roots and continuity.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul publicly declared that the state would not adopt the new name either. Similarly, the State Department made a satirical remark about the naming error, humorously addressing the issue on social media.

Google Maps: Possible Name Change?

Google Maps may follow the federal name change as per its practice of reflecting official U.S. government sources. A prior instance occurred when Google updated the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in response to official changes. GNIS’s recent update to ‘Lake America’ could prompt a similar response from Google.

People within the United States might eventually view ‘Lake America’ on Google Maps, mirroring previous updates. Newsweek has reached out to Google for comment regarding their potential plans following MapQuest’s decision.