Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” has been rejected by more than twice as many American voters as those who support it, according to a new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll.
The survey found that 46 per cent opposed the change, while only 20 per cent backed it. Even among voters who supported Mr Trump in the 2024 presidential election, just 33 per cent approved of the renaming, compared with 31 per cent who opposed it.
The poll of 1,015 registered voters was conducted between August 28 and 31, shortly after the president signed an executive order directing the US government to adopt the new name.
Mr Trump announced the move on August 27, as relations with Canada deteriorated during an escalating trade dispute. The order instructs the US Department of the Interior to update federal records and maps within 30 days.
It does not compel Canada, international organisations or private companies outside the US to abandon the name Lake Ontario, which has been used for centuries.
Google has nevertheless begun displaying “Lake America” for users in the United States, while retaining “Lake Ontario” for users in Canada. Apple initially continued to use the traditional name before also making the change for American users.
The lake lies between the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario, making the renaming another source of friction between the two neighbours.
Mr Trump has linked the dispute to trade, arguing that the United States has been treated unfairly by Canada. Ottawa has rejected the name change and continues to refer to the body of water as Lake Ontario.
