Trump has renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America,” after renaming the Gulf of Mexico, suggesting Canada could become a U.S. state, pursuing Greenland, and claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The pattern is clear: Trump treats geography as an extension of political power. What he wants becomes American, at least in name.
But changing a label does not change sovereignty. Canada remains independent, Greenland is not American, and Lake Ontario is still shared with Canada.
What is more concerning is how technology can help make these claims appear real. Google Maps displayed “Lake America” to U.S. users, while MapQuest refused to adopt the new name.
Trump may change names on a screen, but the places themselves still do not belong to him
