# Meme war continues: After Google, Apple Maps renames Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ > Source: > Published: 2026-09-02 08:58:30+00:00 Apple Maps has officially renamed [Lake Ontario](/culture/75505/donald-trump-slammed-for-renaming-lake-ontario-to-lake-america-internet-turns-it-into-meme-gold) to [“Lake America”](/tech/75432/google-changes-lake-ontario-to-lake-america-in-search-google-maps) for users in the United States, aligning with a controversial executive order from US President [Donald Trump](/culture/75561/donald-trumps-lake-america-fiasco-sparks-meme-meltdown-across-the-internet). And as with Google's similar move days earlier, the internet wasted no time turning the decision into a full-blown viral spectacle. The change rolled out on September 1, with Apple confirming that US-based users will now see “Lake America” in place of the historic name. The update mirrors Google’s earlier tweak and aligns with changes made in the [US Geographic Names Information System.](/culture/75506/donald-ducks-trumps-bizarre-ai-army-guards-protecting-lake-america-sparks-memefest-amid-backlash) However, the rebrand isn’t universal. [Canadian ](/tech/75596/mapquest-just-found-a-route-to-no-1-on-the-app-store)users will continue to see “Lake Ontario,” while the rest of the world gets a hybrid version showing both names. It’s the same playbook Apple used when the Gulf of Mexico was controversially relabeled the “Gulf of America” in 2025. Apple renames Lake Ontario to “Lake America” in Apple Maps for users in the United States 🚨 — Apple Hub (@theapplehub)[pic.twitter.com/fB9cALNY6r][September 1, 2026] Lake Ontario isn’t just any body of water; it’s one of North America’s five Great Lakes, with a name rooted in Indigenous language and history spanning over four centuries. Around 52% of the lake lies in Canada, with the rest bordering [New York](/culture/63334/zohran-mamdani-becomes-new-yorks-first-muslim-mayor-end-speech-with-arabic-pledge-heres-what-it-mean). That’s partly why the backlash has been swift. Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, have refused to adopt the new name. Ontario Premier Doug Ford even doubled down with a physical sign declaring: “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.” **Trade tensions spill into tech** The renaming drama isn’t happening in a vacuum. It comes amid escalating trade tensions between the US and Canada, including new tariffs on billions worth of Canadian goods. Trump’s administration has also repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state, an idea Canadian officials have dismissed outright. Now, tech companies are caught in the crossfire, forced to balance government directives with global user expectations. **Meanwhile, the internet is having a field day** While politicians argue and tech giants comply, social media users are doing what they do best, [making memes](/culture/74961/donald-trump-defends-catering-cart-escape-and-internet-roasts-him-with-savage-memes). Within hours of the update, timelines were flooded with jokes, edits, and sarcastic takes. A couple of days ago, Trump himself added fuel to the fire, posting AI-generated videos of him swapping out lake signs with “Lake America.” Apple renames Lake Ontario to “Lake America” in Apple Maps for users in the United States 🚨 — Apple Hub (@theapplehub)[pic.twitter.com/fB9cALNY6r][September 1, 2026] We aren’t going to throw out our iPhones but we can delete Apple Maps! Go MapQuest! — Canada Goose 🇨🇦 (@CanadaGoose911)[pic.twitter.com/tJsBxTCwr8][September 1, 2026] Apple Maps running to change the name — NERO (@AlekNido)[pic.twitter.com/Efqi2B6mcG][September 1, 2026] then i’ll be deleting my — ًjake-e (@err0x7c9)[@apple]maps too[pic.twitter.com/SE10f7kxFm][August 31, 2026] Effective immediately. Canadian bacon is now ham. — TheÐogeGlory (@GloryDoge)[pic.twitter.com/bhH9zScsn1][September 2, 2026] Mark Carney the next time he logs into X 😭 — Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes)[pic.twitter.com/x3aj4VzaaH][September 2, 2026] Americans liking all the Mark Carney memes after he told Americans to stop making them — The Drunk Republican (@DrunkRepub)[pic.twitter.com/tRP5Tt65rC][September 1, 2026] Americans liking all the Mark Carney memes after he told Americans to stop making them — The Drunk Republican (@DrunkRepub)[pic.twitter.com/tRP5Tt65rC][September 1, 2026] Mark Carney right now 😆 — Fist Punch (@FistPunch)[pic.twitter.com/TVyiGtLA9K][September 1, 2026] You know it's coming... — Tarquin 🇺🇦 (@Tarquin_Helmet)[#TrumpIsCorrupt][#LakeOntario][#ETTD][pic.twitter.com/Ar9FoRBW06][September 1, 2026] Carney watching us meme him into oblivion: — The National Roast (@NationalRoast)[pic.twitter.com/e1bBSwKilu][September 1, 2026] We will NEVER STOP!!! — JayUSA (@JayUSA102)[https://t.co/UmCDNu1ZGH][pic.twitter.com/glJ0chjjLq][September 1, 2026] — Brian777 (@Brian777K)[September 2, 2026] Carney, stop doing memes. — IRISH PATRIOT 🐸 (@irishpatriot91) America, makes him dance over Lake America. This is why bankers shouldn’t run countries. 😂 🐸[pic.twitter.com/jBEVFfiUnx][September 1, 2026] Rate this tariff. — W. Todd Ed (@we_todd_ed1) Imported Canadian tear. Lake America now has a border wall.[pic.twitter.com/ZaQk7wVHwg][September 1, 2026] How the meme war is going... — Brian777 (@Brian777K)[pic.twitter.com/q2ORp2Ih5t][September 1, 2026] Despite the official changes in US systems, public opinion appears divided. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans oppose both the renaming and the broader trade measures tied to it. *(Feature Image Credit: X/@theapplehub, @lflorepolitics)* ALSO READ| [‘Stop doing memes’: Canada PM Mark Carney tells Donald Trump to get serious about tariffs, internet refuses](/culture/75604/stop-doing-memes-canada-pm-mark-carney-tells-donald-trump-to-get-serious-about-tariffs-internet-refu) [Culture](/culture), [Tech](/tech), [Google Maps](/google-maps), [Donald Trump](/donald-trump), [U.S.](/us), [Apple Maps](/apple-maps), [Us President](/us-president), [Lake Ontario](/lake-ontario), [Mark Carney](/mark-carney)