A Historical Analysis of Trump’s Recent Renaming Spree
News outlets and magazines must love Donald J. Trump. It seems like every day there is another baffling headline to be made. As a bonus, there’s no need to come up with attention-grabbing titles; the rage bait is built into the story! And Trump’s latest executive order has all of Canada, especially Ontario, in a frenzy.
Many Canadians are simultaneously tired of and enraged by the seemingly childish actions of Trump. News of controversial decisions made by the president of the United States floats through our daily news feed, each outdoing the last in absurdity. Yet the absurdity can often disguise the serious implications these decisions hold.
On August 22, 2026, ongoing trade talks between Canada and the United States collapsed. Despite previous reports of progress, a disagreement between the two nations, in which each accused the other of unfair treatment, resulted in not just a failed deal, but a catastrophic chain of aggravation and an enduring power struggle.
Trump quickly responded, imposing a stunning 50 percent tariff on billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Carney faced Trump head-on with a “dollar for dollar” tariff on a multitude of American goods. These tariffs affect around 629 different American products across notable sectors such as agriculture, plastic, and steel. In response, Trump fired off another shot at Canada, ordering the renaming of Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Is this attack inconsequential? Simply words on a map? Is it just a tantrum by a man unable to get what he wants? Or could it be a calculated move to establish American power over Canada?
Feelings of anxiety are often easy to identify and even easier to become consumed by. Many Canadians, including outspoken Ontario Premier Doug Ford, were enraged by this order. To deal with this anger, Ford shelled out a hefty $25 000 in retail therapy on a giant “Lake Ontario” sign. It is interesting how a single replaced word was enough to set off alarms in Canadians’ heads, even more alarms than the whining buzz of repeated tariff threats. It is also difficult to pinpoint why exactly this instance has facilitated such a strong reaction, but the answer lies in examining Canada’s and Trump’s histories.
On the surface, Trump’s threats to rename Lake Ontario may appear negligible; he has no power to force international recognition of the name “Lake America.” Despite the simplicity of renaming Lake Ontario, we should still be wary of Trump’s attacks and remember the mistakes of Canada’s history to steer our response.
Canada is familiar with the power and weight names carry. In Canada’s history, those in power have changed the names of marginalized communities to gain control by erasing important histories and identities. The names of many Canadian places are anglicized versions of Indigenous words. The names we use (including Toronto) cover up the history and political culture of Indigenous nations who lived on this land for thousands of years before settlers arrived, claiming ownership over land and renaming places. Trump’s forcible renaming of Lake Ontario has a similar purpose: to take away Canada’s right to an independent identity and history from the United States. The parallelism is undeniable, prompting us as witnesses to learn from the lessons of the past.
But why do we all recognize the power of names? Societies use names to establish social hierarchies; surnames are prime examples of this. A child takes the father’s last name, thus symbolizing the prime ownership of the father over the household. Trump has a history of ascribing to this same pattern in his political and professional life. Beginning with the infamous Trump Tower, completed in 1983, Trump has named a myriad of products after himself over the course of his career. The Trump brand has expanded across many sectors, including hotels, books, apparel, souvenirs, produce, and toys. In the political atmosphere, Trump consistently displays these same naming habits. Brazenly claiming to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” and previously the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” directly aligns with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” and “America First” branding.
In an official statement by the White House regarding the renaming of Lake Ontario, the Trump administration reasons that since the United States relies heavily on Lake Ontario, they should have the right to rename it. This flimsy reasoning reveals how Trump’s obsession with naming things after himself harbours the inherent belief that names hold power beyond their function as labels. Names offer a sense of belonging, but can also be used as weapons to claim power over others. Regardless of whether Trump realizes this fact, his habit of renaming geographical areas that are not his to rename reveals the inherent belief that names hold power beyond mere organization.
In our politically charged and messy world, it is easy to become entangled in anxiety and anger. Yet it is important to recognize the function of each action a political player takes in the grand scheme of things. Taking a step back can help unveil how the game works, and how to respond in kind.