Trump Posts Mock USGS Memo Renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America”
Trump shares a graphic and purported memo attributed to USGS Director Ned Mamula claiming Lake Ontario has been renamed “Lake America” in official records.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump posted a graphic and a purported U.S. Geological Survey memo asserting that Lake Ontario had been officially renamed “Lake America” in federal records.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “BREAKING NEWS! TO: Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior FROM: Director, U.S. Geological Survey RE: Lake America rename Sir, As of 4:30 pm today the U.S. Geological Survey has officially designated the former Lake Ontario to be renamed as Lake America in all official USGS electronic documents. The change will begin occurring in printed documents over the next several days. This change has also been made official in the Geographic Names Information System. Should you have any further questions please contact me for clarification. Thank you Ned Dr.Ned Mamula Director, U.S. Geological Survey United States Department of the Interior” on August 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM ET.
This is Trump’s 15th message released today, and the last post was 2 minutes ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 50 of his 594 posts over the last 30 days classified as Domestic Policy posts.
The post attached a styled map carrying USGS branding and the tagline “science for a changing world.” The map labels the body of water in the shape and position of Lake Ontario as “LAKE AMERICA,” alongside labels for Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Canada, the United States of America and New York. A scale of 1:2.2 million appears in the corner. The footer reads “U.S. Department of the Interior” and “U.S. Geological Survey.”
President Donald J. Trump posted a map labeled 'Lake America' on Truth Social on 08/27/2026.
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The memo names Ned Mamula, listed as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mamula holds that post according to aip. The Senate confirmed him by a 51-47 vote on October 7, 2025, following a nomination hearing on May 14, 2025, and an initial nomination on February 11, 2025, according to aip. The same profile notes that Trump nominated him to lead the USGS and to serve as an Interior Department science lead, according to aip.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources considered Mamula’s nomination at a hearing on May 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM ET in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, according to energy.senate.gov. That hearing weighed his nomination alongside three Department of Energy nominees, according to energy.senate.gov. The committee posted his testimony and his responses to questions for the record from that session, according to energy.senate.gov.
Mamula co-authored the book “Groundbreaking!: America’s New Quest for Mineral Independence” with Ann Bridges, according to Amazon®. The work reflects his focus on domestic mineral resources, the theme that framed his path to the USGS post.
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Protomaps / Natural Earth – Canada
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