Rochester businesses and sailors mock Trump's 'Lake America' rename as local council defies order

Key points

• Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, directing the Interior Department to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in the U.S. geographic naming system.
• Pouya Seifzadeh, owner of Ontario Play & Cafe in Rochester, posted an Instagram video mocking the order, noting the expense of replacing signs for his 11-year-old business.
• Rochester City Council unanimously signed a proclamation affirming the use of 'Lake Ontario' in all official capacities, with President Miguel Meléndez planning a resolution to urge the administration to reverse the decision.
• Canadian officials and local sailors dismissed the rename, noting the lake’s name predates both nations and originates from Indigenous Iroquoian language.
• CNN analysis suggests the move is a political failure, citing previous polls where 70% of Americans opposed a similar renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Background

This development follows earlier reports that the lake’s name derives from the Iroquoian word 'oniatarí:io' (lake of shining waters). Previous coverage noted that while the U.S. government can update its internal geographic database, international recognition of the name remains unchanged. The Seneca Nation has also condemned the move as disrespectful to Indigenous heritage.

How outlets are covering it

WHAM highlights the lighthearted response from local business owners, such as the Ontario Play & Cafe, who view the order as a humorous distraction. The Washington Post focuses on the maritime industry, reporting that sailors on both sides of the border treat the name change as a non-issue, though it may impact tourism. CNN provides a political analysis, arguing the move is a 'dud' that reinforces perceptions of Trump focusing on trivial matters rather than economic issues like inflation. AP News emphasizes the cultural and Indigenous dimension, noting the Seneca Nation’s criticism of the order as an erasure of their historical naming rights.

Why it matters

The reaction to the 'Lake America' rename serves as a barometer for public sentiment regarding Trump’s second-term policies. It highlights the disconnect between federal executive actions and local or international recognition, while also reflecting the broader strain in U.S.-Canada relations caused by ongoing tariff disputes and trade wars.

What to watch

Rochester City Council President Miguel Meléndez plans to introduce a formal resolution calling for the reversal of the executive order. Meanwhile, travel agencies are monitoring whether the name change, combined with existing tariffs, will further reduce Canadian tourism to the U.S. in the coming months.