Donald Trump's latest "troll" of renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America is landing with a giant thud, even with his own MAGA voters.
Politico did a great article covering how mayors at our northernmost borders are feeling, starting with Robert Corradino, a Republican mayor from Oswego, New York. His town includes the only commercial port on Lake Ontario, so he has unique insight into the lake's history and how people on both sides of the border view it.
Suffice to say, he is not pleased. He called the decision "regrettable" and said, "The water is part of our identity...Not only our identity, but the economy and the history of the lake is tied to the city.”
Oswego is not a huge town - only about 17,000 people. It is a city that does not represent any one party, proudly split between Democrats and Republicans. But Oswego COUNTY is pretty Republican, going for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Even though the county went for Trump, legislators from both parties "approved a resolution rejecting the new name, out of concern for the cost of the rebrand on taxpayers and businesses. The resolution said it does not intend to diminish the authority of the federal government; rather, it aims to “recognize the longstanding historical and regional significance of the name Lake Ontario.” "
Mayor Corradino said his city's constituents do not care about the name of the lake, and are more focused on "less immigration enforcement and the war with Iran." He added that “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."
Exactly. I agree.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on social media: “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Maps have been a mixed bag. Google Maps and Apple Maps have bent the knee, at least in America, making the name change official. But Canadian Google Maps users will still see Lake Ontario.
MapQuest is the one site that has held strong, keeping it Lake Ontario, which actually led to them being the number 1 downloaded app. GOOD FOR THEM.
I think the best thing we can do is name a trash dump after Trump: The Donald Trump Waste Disposal Area.
