Oswego Republicans Reject Trump Proposal to Rename Lake Ontario

Republican officials and local residents in Oswego County, New York, voiced strong opposition on Tuesday to President Donald Trump's suggestion to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" amid an intensifying bilateral trade conflict with Canada.

Despite Oswego County being a conservative stronghold where Trump secured 62 percent of the vote in 2024, local leaders rejected the proposal, emphasizing the historical, economic, and tourism ties shared with neighboring Canadian partners.

Oswego Mayor Rob Corradino noted that existing trade disputes and tariffs have already depressed Canadian tourism, causing visits to New York state to fall by 25 percent last year according to state records.

"As long as I’ve been alive it’s always been Lake Ontario, and I see no reason why we should change it now," said Rob Corradino, Mayor of Oswego.

Corradino explained that cross-border visitors fuel major local draws, including the annual Oswego Harborfest, historic Fort Ontario, the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, and the Oswego Speedway.

"From what I see, the Canadians are very strong-willed people, and they don’t take kindly to threats," said Corradino. "I think it’s best to get along with your neighbors. I would hope we could all get along for the betterment of both sides."

State Assemblymember Will Barclay, former Republican leader of the state Assembly, echoed concerns over escalating trade tensions. Canadian government figures show New York exports $16.5 billion in goods and $12.9 billion in services annually to Canada, while importing $21.4 billion in return.

"I think Trump puts these things out from time to time to stir people up," said Will Barclay, State Assemblymember. "My bigger worry is trade between Canada and the United States. Overall, the escalation of this is bad for Canadians and it’s bad for Upstate New York too."

Barclay, whose family operates a local fishing business along the Salmon River, highlighted the vulnerability of regional commerce to protracted diplomatic disputes.

"I just hope many cooler heads can prevail, and rationality and practicality can rule the day," said Barclay.

Jim Weatherup, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature, characterized the proposal as an ineffective bargaining maneuver that locals would likely ignore.

"It’s a negotiating tactic, I guess," said Jim Weatherup, Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature.

Weatherup added that long-time community members would remain attached to the lake's traditional name regardless of federal designation changes.

"I’m an old guy, so I’ll probably call it Lake Ontario," said Weatherup. "The locals would still call it Lake Ontario too."

Visitors along the lakefront at Breitbeck Park similarly dismissed the proposal as unnecessary.

"I liked the Gulf of America better than the Gulf of Mexico," said Chris Carroll, Oswego resident. "But Lake Ontario... I’d just as soon leave it as Lake Ontario."

Other residents urged federal officials to prioritize more presssing national issues over geographic renamings.

"It is always going to be Lake Ontario," said Travis Clancy, Oswego resident.

Local visitor Rita Cappellelli questioned how far the naming changes might extend across regional landmarks.

"What’s he going to do, call Fort Ontario the Fort of America?" said Rita Cappellelli, visitor at Breitbeck Park.

Community members stressed that local identity remains deeply rooted in the historic waterway.

"I’m all for America," said Dylan Cataldo, Oswego resident. "But I feel like there are more important things to do than changing the name of Lake Ontario."