The Associated Press will keep using the historical name Lake Ontario despite President Trump’s executive order instructing U.S. agencies to call it Lake America. The AP says it will note the president’s chosen name when relevant but retain the longstanding name for clarity among global audiences. Canada has refused to accept the U.S. change, and major tech map providers briefly updated labels after the order. The situation echoes last year’s Gulf of Mexico renaming dispute, which led to legal action after the AP was excluded from White House press pools.
AP Will Keep Using 'Lake Ontario' Despite Trump’s Executive Order Renaming It 'Lake America'
Associated Press Will Retain Use Of “Lake Ontario” Despite Donald Trump’s Name Change
The Associated Press has instructed its journalists to continue using the longstanding name Lake Ontario, even after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. agencies to refer to the body of water as Lake America. The AP says it will continue to use the traditional name while noting the president's chosen label when it is relevant to reporting.
'The Associated Press will refer to Lake Ontario by its original name, including the name Trump has chosen when relevant,' an AP spokesperson said. 'As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are recognizable to broad audiences.'
What This Means: The executive order affects how the United States government refers to the lake, but it does not compel other countries, mapping companies, or international bodies to follow suit. Canada, whose border runs through Lake Ontario, has publicly declined to recognize the U.S. name change. AP notes the name Lake Ontario has been in use for more than 400 years and that continuity helps international readers and map users.
Reactions And Context
Following the White House directive, some tech firms briefly updated mapping labels: both Apple and Google changed their map references to Lake America after the order. However, the AP and many international outlets and governments continue to use the established name, and Canada has made clear it will not adopt the U.S. designation.
This move echoes a similar dispute last year when President Trump issued an order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America.' The AP kept the established name then as well. After that decision, the Trump administration excluded the AP from certain White House press pools; the agency sued and a U.S. district court found the administration's exclusion violated the First Amendment. That ruling is currently under appeal.
Why AP’s Guidance Matters
AP style is widely used by news organizations, publishers, and many international readers. By prioritizing widely recognized geographic names, the AP aims to reduce confusion and maintain clarity across global coverage while still reporting the details of U.S. government actions when relevant.
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