Donald Trump Wanted Google Maps To Change Name Of Atlantic Ocean
Donald Trump said he had asked Google CEO Sundar Pichai about renaming the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps, but claimed Pichai refused. Trump said he would probably drop the idea, telling rally supporters he thought the ocean should keep its existing name.
He linked the request to Lake Ontario, which he has called Lake America; Google Maps displays it as “Lake Ontario (Lake America)”, a label also used for the Gulf of Mexico. Trump has also floated renaming the Strait of Hormuz “Trump Strait”, while the proposed Atlantic change remains only a reported conversation.
In short
- Trump says Google rejected his Atlantic Ocean renaming request.
- He said he would probably leave the ocean’s name unchanged.
- Google Maps labels Lake Ontario as “Lake Ontario (Lake America)”.
Explained simply
Google Maps labels places using names that are widely recognised or used by official sources, and it may show alternative names alongside them. Lake Ontario is one of North America’s Great Lakes, shared by Canada and the United States; “Lake America” is an alternative name promoted by Trump.
The Atlantic Ocean lies between the Americas, Europe and Africa, and its name is long established in maps and international use. Governments can adopt names for places within their authority, but changing a widely used name across maps and countries is more complicated.
Trump has also suggested alternative names for other waterways, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Strait of Hormuz. Such proposals can draw attention because map labels reflect questions of history, geography and political authority.
Art Business Companies Culture Government Politics