Rochester Officials Defy President Trump's Renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'
Rochester, N.Y., officials and businesses are opposing President Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America.' The Rochester City Council issued a proclamation on Friday to maintain the lake's original name, calling the renaming a 'stunt' and a distraction from critical issues like housing and the economy. Rochester city council president Miguel A. Meléndez Jr. stated that the name 'Lake America' disrespects Indigenous culture and the lake's history, as 'Ontario' originates from an Iroquois word meaning 'beautiful lake' or 'sparkling water.' White House spokesperson Allison Schuster, however, defended the renaming, asserting that the new name reflects the lake's heritage and its significant volume within U.S. territory. Google Maps has already updated its U.S. interface to display 'Lake America,' while Canadian users still see 'Lake Ontario,' and international users see both names. 
