Former President Donald Trump said he is considering renaming Lake Ontario to “American Lake,” according to a report from Chinese state media outlet 央广网. The statement was published on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, though the report did not specify the context or venue of the remarks.
央广网, which is China’s national radio and television broadcaster, cited Trump’s comments without providing additional details on his reasoning or any timeline for the potential change. The outlet’s headline described the move as something Trump “said he is considering,” leaving the proposal at an early, non-binding stage.
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes shared by the United States and Canada, with the international border running through its center. A formal renaming would require coordination with Canadian authorities, as the lake is not solely within U.S. jurisdiction. The report did not indicate whether any official process had been initiated or whether Canadian officials had responded.
This is not the first time Trump has floated symbolic geographic or political gestures during his public career, but the 央广网 report offers no further examples or comparisons. The story appears to be based solely on Trump’s own statement, with no independent confirmation from U.S. or Canadian government sources.
The proposal, as reported, remains a verbal suggestion rather than a formal policy action. Observers will likely watch for any follow-up statements from Trump’s team or reactions from Canadian officials in the coming days.
