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Lake Ontario Park receives an afternoon downpour, which would preempt any comment on U. S. President Donald Trump’s vow to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America on Tuesday, Au. 25, 2026 in Kingston. (Photo by GARE JOYCE/KINGSTON WHIG-STANDARD)
As they looked out at what might one day be known as Lake America, five seniors caught in an unexpected rainstorm were gathering their belongings after a failed picnic attempt behind Kingston’s Providence Care Hospital. They weren’t interested in sharing much more than quick thoughts about Donald Trump, who is the elected president of the United States.
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A sudden rain shower interrupted their plans as they packed up. The seniors shared some choice words about Trump’s idea of renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America because he sees it as part of his vision for international trade during tough economic times. It was surprising that he chose this rebranding approach focused on a continent rather than himself.
The disappointed picnickers tossed around some insults and jokes but held back on any serious swearing or harsh language. They referred to both Trump and Biden as loudmouths while not giving him a pass simply because he’s part of their age group.
“We don’t expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer,” Trump said this week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ended trade discussions with America while Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined in with taunts directed at Trump.
The crowd at what is currently called Lake Ontario Park thinned out significantly due to rain while other visitors hurried back to their vehicles without wanting lengthy conversations or even sharing their names or taking photos. A polite “no thanks” seemed like a common response among them.
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Elected officials across various states were also cautious regarding this topic. Members of New York’s state legislature didn’t respond when asked for comments. One independent council member representing Cape Vincent-a spot where Lake Ontario meets St. Lawrence River-also didn’t reply about Trump’s name change suggestion. Across borders in America, geographical names are managed by the U. S. Board of Geographical Names (BGN). This federal body was established back in 1890 and officially set up in 1947 “to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the federal government.” The BGN took over naming rights for Lake Ontario since it got its title back in 1660 rooted in either Huron or Iroquoian terms meaning “great lake” or “lake of shining waters.” The Whig-Standard requested an interview with someone at BGN “for details concerning efforts towards renaming Gulf of America alongside possible renaming for ‘Great Lake’ previously known as Lake Ontario.” They also sought information about timelines for changing names along with budgets for signs and amending maps along with government documents regarding these changes.This has not loaded yet , but your article continues below. “I recommend you reach out to White House on this one,” government spokesperson Robbin Brooks replied via email without providing any further details despite requests for clarification made earlier. The original message has been forwarded onto White House press office however no responses came before publishing time. Mark Gerretsen , Liberal MP representing Kingston & Islands expressed clear opinions regarding Trump’s promise related over naming proposals concerning shoreline. “It was another chaotic , idiotic thing that was said by president United States ,” Gerretsen stated early Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t think there’s any seriousness toward it. By way , we own half lake. It’s stupid ! I don’t want even address matter itself ; just seems distraction away other issues.. makes headlines talk , right ? We’ve seen similar strategies before used distract public attention-real problems are affordability crisis facing young families trying buy homes etc.. talking renaming isn’t priority here.” Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson added more bluntly towards suggested changes proposed under new leadership saying :< “That’s ridiculous ,” Paterson commented further stating : “We wouldn’t ever do such thing.”< gjoyce Share this article through social networks
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