Trump Suggests Atlantic or Pacific Ocean Could Be Next After Lake Ontario Renaming

WASHINGTON — September 2, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that his administration’s push to rename major bodies of water may not be finished, saying the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean — or potentially both — could be next.

The comments came after Trump signed an executive order on August 27 directing U.S. federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The order applies to U.S. federal usage and does not require Canada or other countries to recognize the new name.

During the Oval Office event, Trump pointed to his earlier decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for U.S. federal purposes and then suggested another geographic name change could follow.

Trump told reporters that after having a gulf and a lake renamed, an ocean could be next, specifically mentioning the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He even floated the possibility of changing both names.

However, as of September 2, Trump has not signed an executive order renaming either ocean. His comments were a suggestion rather than an announced policy or completed name change.

Lake Ontario change already appearing on U.S. maps

The Lake Ontario order has already begun affecting digital mapping services.

Google Maps now displays “Lake America” for users in the United States, while Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario. Users elsewhere may see both names. Apple Maps has also updated the name for U.S. users.

Canadian officials have rejected the attempted renaming. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said that regardless of what the U.S. government calls it, the body of water will remain Lake Ontario to Canadians and internationally.

The White House order requires the U.S. Department of the Interior and Board on Geographic Names to update American federal records and maps to use “Lake America.” It does not give Washington authority to force another country or international organization to adopt the terminology.

Could Trump actually rename the Atlantic Ocean?

A U.S. president can direct American federal agencies to use different geographic names in federal documents and databases.

But renaming something as internationally recognized as the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean would be a different matter globally. Other countries, international organizations, mapmakers and geographic authorities would not automatically be required to adopt a U.S.-chosen name.

For now, the Atlantic Ocean remains the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific remains the Pacific.

What is confirmed is that Trump publicly suggested changing one or both names. Whether that becomes another executive order remains to be seen.

CanJam News will continue following the story if the White House formally announces another geographic name change.