From Lake America to South America: How Trump’s Renaming Campaign Became a Political Punchline

Political decisions do not always stay within government. Sometimes, they appear on phone screens, spread through social media and eventually become part of popular culture. Recent attempts by President Donald Trump to change geographic names in the United States have done exactly that, becoming the subject of debate, online reactions and even a joke from the creators of South Park.

In August, Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America. The lake, which borders New York and the Canadian province of Ontario, became another example of Trump using geographic names as part of his administration’s policies and messaging. The move followed his earlier decision to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for federal purposes.

The changes also created different responses from technology companies. Google Maps changed Lake Ontario to Lake America for users in the United States, and Apple later made the same change, though. Users outside of the U.S. continued to see Lake Ontario. Other platforms such as MapQuest, however, decided not to change the name. After announcing its decision on social media, the mapping service experienced an increase in downloads and reached the top of the U.S. App Store.

The naming debate expanded beyond bodies of water. In September, Trump suggested on social media that New Mexico should be renamed “New America.” Unlike Lake Ontario, however, New Mexico was not actually renamed. The proposal generated reactions from residents and politicians in the state, with critics arguing that the existing name is connected to the state’s history and culture.

The situation eventually became material for one of television’s most recognizable satirical shows.

On Sept. 8, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced on the show’s Instagram account that they were changing the name of the series to “SOUTH AMERICA.” The announcement specifically referenced Apple and Google, thanking them for their “bravery and patriotism” after the companies adopted the Lake America name on their maps.

The joke continued when the show’s 29th season premiered on Sept. 16. The opening sequence used the new “South America” name, while the premiere, titled “South American Biker Gangs,” included an animated version of Trump.

The response to these events shows how political decisions can move beyond government and into everyday technology and entertainment.

For South Park, turning political events into satire is nothing new. But the “South America” joke demonstrates how quickly politics can become part of popular culture— and how a decision about what to call a place can become much bigger than a name on a map.

Photo available via the Public Domain