Trump says Kathy Hochul ‘doesn’t care about New York’ after rejecting ‘Lake America’ name

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump on Friday went after New York Governor Kathy Hochul, accusing her of siding with Canada instead of the US after the Democratic governor said she would not recognize "Lake America" as the new name for Lake Ontario.

Just a day earlier, Trump had signed off on paperwork renaming the lake, insisting the new name should take effect right away. He pushed the move as part of a growing trade fight with Canada. Lake Ontario, which stretches along about 250 miles of New York’s northern border, suddenly found itself at the center of this political spat.

Trump ramps up criticism of Kathy Hochul

“Governor Kathy Hochul is for Canada,” Trump fumed on Truth Social, “a Country that has been ripping off New York State for years, especially under her Administration, instead of the good ‘ol USA.”

“Can you imagine her saying that she won’t respect or acknowledge LAKE AMERICA,” the president continued. “That’s why the Dumocrats are so bad for our Country.”

“Stupid Governor Kathy Hochul, who doesn’t care about New York State, has announced that she is on the side of Canada, which has been ripping us off for decades on trade and tariffs, with a specific target of Hochul and her state.”

He said Hochul's refusal to adopt the new name reflected a broader pattern of Democratic leaders allowing other countries and states to take advantage of New York, which he said gets treated "like 'garbage.'"

Trump argued that other nations "laugh at us up and down" the lake, adding that its renaming was intended to reverse this dynamic.

“They laugh at us up and down what was once called, ‘Lake Ontario,’ what is now called ‘Lake America.’”

“That is why Bruce Blakeman is going to be your next governor. He’s an “animal,” he fights like hell, he doesn’t let anyone else win.”

“He’s for the people. He’s smart and cunning, and will lower your taxes, and stop crime. VOTE FOR BRUCE BLAKEMAN!”

Lake America name change adds to US-Canada trade tensions

The fight over the lake's name isn't just about a name, it's part of the bigger trade spat between the United States and Canada. Lately, tariffs and cross-border trade rules have stirred up tension.

Trump keeps arguing that Canada’s trade practices hurt American states, especially New York. For him, pushing to rename Lake Ontario is more than a local issue; it’s a way to signal frustration with Canada on the wider trade front.

President Trump had renewed his threat to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” in a clip posted to his TikTok on Wednesday.

Kathy Hochul rejects Trump’s Lake America name

Hochul took to X shortly after Trump signed the Lake America proclamation, asserting that “New York won’t be calling it that.”

Hochul’s office stayed quiet when asked about Trump’s latest comments by media outlets. The back-and-forth has continued to fuel their political rivalry.

Now, Trump is turning New York’s governor’s race into a stand-in battle for his larger trade agenda and ongoing attacks on how Democrats run the state.