Trump's State Department deadnames Lake Ontario in political stunt

The renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America raises questions about trans identity and US-Canada relations.

Told by Claire Lawson · 1 September 2026

Recently, the Trump administration decided to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, and the fallout is as absurd as it is revealing. The State Department’s attempt at humor in an apology for ‘deadnaming’ the lake— a term typically used to describe the act of misnaming transgender individuals—has caught fire, and not just among queer advocates.

The Department's post read, "It was brought to our attention that Lake America was erroneously labeled as Lake 'Ontario' on our website. We have corrected this mistake and apologize for deadnaming the lake." Critics have interpreted this as a cynical jab at trans people, given the administration's broader agenda of erasing trans identities from public life.

Under Secretary Marco Rubio, the State Department has rolled back protections for transgender individuals, including freezing passport applications for those wishing to use an 'X' gender marker and implementing restroom bans for trans employees. This creates a chilling landscape for those who identify outside the binary, positioning the lake's renaming as not just a trivial matter but part of a larger pattern of transphobia.

The renaming itself is part of a trade war that has escalated tensions between the US and Canada, with Trump imposing hefty tariffs on Canadian exports. Local US politicians, even within Republican ranks, have condemned the move as 'petty' and 'disappointing.' Vermont Governor Phil Scott criticized the decision, saying it damages diplomatic relations and does nothing for American families.

As far-right commentator Matt Walsh pointed out, this renaming appears less about identity and more about trolling. He stated, "As long as I've been alive, it’s always been Lake Ontario, and I see no reason why we should change it now." Acknowledging the lake’s historical significance, he notes that the name originates from Indigenous tribes, further complicating the narrative of ownership.

This bizarre episode raises serious questions about the administration's priorities and how they reflect on the treatment of marginalized communities. If the State Department can casually mock trans identities while playing geopolitical games, what does that say about the current climate for LGBTQ rights in America? The stakes are high, and the implications of such a move extend far beyond the shores of Lake America.