A Canadian fan voiced dissent regarding President Donald Trump's executive order renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" during a FIBA Women's World Cup game on Friday.
The fan displayed a sign that read "Lake America?" on one side and "Lake Ontario!!" in red marker on the other, directly challenging the U.S. president's decision. This action occurred as the United States women's basketball team opened the tournament with a decisive victory over China.
President Trump issued the executive order to rename the Great Lake amid a trade dispute with Canada. He stated in the Oval Office that the renaming was a long-considered action, drawing a parallel to a previous renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America." The executive order also asserted the United States' role as the primary protector of the Great Lakes, citing its investments and security measures as crucial for the waterway's accessibility for shipping, recreation, and responsible use.
Trump directed the Interior Secretary to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the name change. While the move may find favor within the United States, it has met with disapproval in Canada, as evidenced by the fan's protest.
In the basketball game, the U.S. team defeated China with a score of 94-61. Caitlin Clark contributed a double-double in her international debut, scoring 14 points and providing 11 assists. Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard also scored 14 points each for the winning team.