Following President Donald Trump's move to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," polls show he remains unpopular with many Americans.
Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario — the smallest of the five Great Lakes — amid a trade dispute with Canada has drawn criticism from politicians and members of the public who argue the country is facing more pressing issues.
Trump last week signed an executive order directing the Interior Department and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to update federal records and geographic databases to reflect the new name. Other countries, including Canada, as well as New York state and local governments, are not required by the order to call the lake "Lake America."
The name Lake Ontario dates to the 17th century and is
derived from an Indigenous word associated with the lake's waters. Regardless of what it is called, the lake has played a key role in the history, development and commerce of New York and Ontario, Canada.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 65% of Americans disapprove of Trump's job performance, according to the poll's results.
Donald Trump approval ratings: What polls show
Note: Polls are continually updated, and methodologies and the populations surveyed vary among pollsters.
New York Times
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest New York Times poll (Aug. 31, 2026):
- Favorable: 38%
- Unfavorable: 58%
RMG Research
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest RMG Research poll (Aug. 30, 2026):
- Favorable: 45%
- Unfavorable: 52%
Civiqs
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the Civiqs poll (Aug. 29, 2026):
- Favorable: 35%
- Unfavorable: 59%
- Not sure: 5%
Quantus Insights
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the Quantus Insights poll (Aug. 28, 2026):
- Favorable: 42%
- Unfavorable: 57%
Rasmussen Reports
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports poll (Aug. 28, 2026):
- Favorable: 43%
- Unfavorable: 56%
The latest figures include 25% of U.S. voters who "strongly approve" of the job Trump is doing as president and 46% who "strongly disapprove," according to the report.
Silver Bulletin
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to pollster Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin newsletter (Aug. 28, 2026):
- Favorable: 38%
- Unfavorable: 58%
RealClear Polling
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to RealClear Polling (Aug. 28, 2026):
- Favorable: 40%
- Unfavorable: 57%
The Economist
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to The Economist (Aug. 25, 2026):
- Favorable: 35%
- Unfavorable: 61%
- Not sure: 5%
The latest report shows that voters rank inflation and prices, jobs and the economy, and health care among the most important issues facing Americans. That ranking has remained largely unchanged since the start of Trump's second presidential term.
Reuters/Ipsos
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll (Aug. 24, 2026):
- Favorable: 33%
- Unfavorable: 65%
Morning Consult
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Morning Consult poll (Aug. 23, 2026):
- Favorable: 43%
- Unfavorable: 54%
Emerson College
The most recent Trump approval rating, according to the Emerson College poll (Aug. 20, 2026):
Unfavorable: 56%
Favorable: 40%
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Trump approval ratings remain underwater amid 'Lake America' renaming
