Robert Corradino has never lived anywhere but Oswego, New York. As the only commercial port city on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, everything in his community bears the lake's name — the streets, the convention center, the historic fort. Now, following President Donald Trump's executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, Corradino and other mayors in upstate New York are pushing back against what they call a decision that threatens their city's identity and economy.
The water is part of our identity, Corradino said. Not only our identity, but the economy and the history of the lake is tied to the city. Oswego, a city of 17,000, is split between Democrats and Republicans, according to Corradino. The larger Oswego County is one of the reddest in New York, with 61 percent of its voters supporting Trump in the 2024 election.
Hours after Trump signed the executive order, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat whose state borders Lake Ontario, posted on social media: New York won't be calling it that. The governor's office has not issued formal guidance to state agencies but officials have indicated the name change will not be adopted in official state communications.
What the Right Is Saying
Even Republican officials in counties that overwhelmingly supported Trump have expressed reservations about the executive action. Oswego County legislators from both parties approved a resolution rejecting the new name, citing concerns about rebranding costs for taxpayers and local businesses. The resolution stated it did not intend to diminish federal authority but aimed to recognize the longstanding historical and regional significance of Lake Ontario.
Corradino, who said he previously voted for Trump, described the executive order as regrettable. At Oswego's weekly summer concert series last Thursday night, Corradino said everyone he spoke with opposed the name change and could not explain why it was happening. The general sentiment, he noted, was frustration.
Asked about priorities for his constituents, however, Corradino said voters are more focused on immigration enforcement and the conflict with Iran. In general, the consensus I see is it just seems like the country is heading in a direction that we're not all happy about, he said.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and local Democratic officials have largely welcomed the pushback from Republican-leaning communities along the lake. Gov. Hochul's quick rejection of the rename signaled broader resistance among elected Democrats, who argue that renaming a body of water with centuries of established history disrupts commerce and ignores regional input.
Alex Morgia, a Democrat and mayor of Sackets Harbor, New York, said his community has been grappling with deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations well before the name change. The village of 1,400 people is home to many Canadian residents and has hosted the Can-Am festival since 1971 to commemorate its cross-border heritage. Last year's festival was the first time residents made floats featuring maple leaves and Canadian flags to protest Trump's calls for Canada to become the 51st state.
The festival reminds everyone that it's not very nice to be at odds with your neighbor, Morgia said. Having good relationships with your international neighbors is important, particularly for people who live along the border on either side. It's a three-hour drive to Montreal, a two-hour drive to Toronto and a six-hour drive to New York City. The biggest metropolitan cities near us are Canadian, and a lot of North Country businesses rely on that relationship.
What the Numbers Show
Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area at approximately 7,340 square miles. It borders both the United States and Canada, with New York being the only U.S. state on its southern shore.
Google Maps and Apple Maps have implemented the name change for U.S.-based users, showing Lake America while Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario. MapQuest, which refused to adopt the new name, saw a significant increase in app downloads following the executive order, according to data from app analytics firms.
Oswego County voted 61 percent for Trump in 2024, matching Jefferson County, where Sackets Harbor is located. Both counties are among the most Republican-leaning areas in New York State, which overall voted Democratic in presidential contests.
The Bottom Line
The pushback from upstate New York mayors highlights the tension between federal executive authority and local identity in communities whose economies and histories are tied to Lake Ontario's name. While Trump supporters locally have reservations about the rename, they remain focused on other policy priorities. What happens next will likely depend on whether the White House responds to pressure from local officials or presses forward with implementation. Google Maps' adoption of the new name sets a practical precedent that may prove difficult for local governments to counter in everyday usage.
This story is developing. Check back for updates as additional mayors and officials respond.