Americans Reject Trump's Plan to Rename Lake Ontario

Americans are delivering a sharp verdict against Donald Trump's push to rename Lake Ontario, turning his crusade toward Canada into a political liability just before the midterms. A fresh poll from Daily Mail/JL Partners shows only 20 percent of voters back the name change, while 46 percent fight it. That leaves more than two to one rejecting the idea. Even Trump supporters who voted for him in 2024 are not fully on board; just 33 percent support the rebranding against 31 percent who oppose it.

It started last week after trade talks between Washington and Ottawa fell apart. Trump declared the US would no longer do much business with Ontario and floated the name 'Lake America.' He followed that up two days later with an executive order telling the federal government to use the new title. Soon enough, tariffs hit hard. The US slapped 50 percent levies on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods while Ottawa announced its own retaliatory measures.

A trade war with a northern neighbor could make Trump's midterm troubles worse as Republicans try to keep their slim congressional majorities safe. Oil prices have already climbed above $90 a barrel and gas has passed $4 a gallon for most folks, thanks in part to the Iran war. Yet only 32 percent of voters supported these new tariffs against Canada while 36 percent oppose them. Thirty-seven percent blame US officials for the collapse of negotiations compared with just 14 percent who point fingers at Canada. However, 31 percent say both sides share equal responsibility.

One in four Americans would support closing the Canadian border entirely over this tariff feud. That includes 42 percent of Trump voters. Trump's talk of absorbing Canada as a 51st state remains fringe territory, backed by just 21 percent of the general public and 31 percent of his own supporters. The poll ran between August 28 and 31 among 1,015 registered US voters online with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned last week that his province might cut off electricity to the United States if Trump continues pressing this trade war. Ford noted Ontario powers 1.5 million American homes and businesses. He told Trump he better have 'a pack of batteries' ready. Ford also said Canada should be ready to 'throw everything in the kitchen sink' at the US President, even telling him to 'kiss my a**'.

Canada serves as the second-largest trading partner for the United States, bringing in about $880 billion in goods and services exchanged every year. The northern ally is deeply woven into auto, energy, and manufacturing supply chains on both sides of the border. A prolonged trade war could slow economic growth and raise prices for American consumers as manufacturers face higher costs for parts and materials.