Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton drew a wave of criticism Thursday after weighing in on President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Asd Fox News reported, Clinton, a former Democratic presidential candidate, addressed the controversy in a brief post on X, writing, “It’s Lake Ontario.”
It’s Lake Ontario.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 27, 2026
The post quickly spread across social media, where conservatives responded by pointing to Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign against Trump.
Her X account does not allow replies, but the post generated more than 3 million views within a few hours.
The dispute comes as Trump and Canadian officials remain embroiled in a broader trade conflict. Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America” from now on.
Conservative commentator CJ Pearson responded directly to Clinton’s post, writing, “It’s not President Hillary Clinton…and never will be.”
It’s not President Hillary Clinton…and never will be. https://t.co/kieKrJ1foW
— CJ Pearson (@Cjpearson) August 27, 2026
Former Trump Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin also weighed in, posting, “Trump Controls the News Cycle Volume 87187585124782.”
Trump Controls the News Cycle Volume 87187585124782 https://t.co/0m529suDN8
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) August 27, 2026
The Republican National Committee responded with a short message of its own: “It’s President Donald J. Trump.”
It’s President Donald J. Trump. https://t.co/UE1gJGPyIA
— Republicans (@Republicans) August 27, 2026
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., joined the reaction, posting, “And you’ll never be President.”
And you’ll never be President. https://t.co/MMiGUSsl7I
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) August 27, 2026
Other conservative commentators also criticized Clinton’s decision to enter the debate.
Jillian King Anderson wrote, “Loser says what?”
Conservative commentator Michael Knowles posted, “Democrats preferring Canada to America is the least surprising thing I’ve seen all day.”
Democrats preferring Canada to America is the least surprising thing I’ve seen all day. https://t.co/tGPMpSSon5
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) August 28, 2026
Conservative radio host Vince Coglianese wrote, “Hillary’s out here shooting blanks,” adding to the social media reaction surrounding Clinton’s post.
Hillary’s out here shooting blanks https://t.co/Kdwk3ERY2R
— Vince Coglianese (@VinceCoglianese) August 27, 2026
Trump’s decision involving Lake Ontario came as relations between Washington and Ottawa have deteriorated over trade. The lake sits along the U.S.-Canada border, with New York located along its southern side.
Trump has accused Canada of unfair trade practices, while the United States recently imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, including wine, furniture and dairy products.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized the U.S. trade demands, saying Washington wanted to “destroy our major industries,” including autos, steel and aluminum.
Trump addressed the broader dispute Thursday, saying, “Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade,” before also criticizing the cost of defending Canada.
“Very sadly, even the military, you know, we defend Canada for nothing. We don’t get anything. They don’t pay us to defend Canada.”
The Lake Ontario announcement follows another geographic name change ordered by Trump. In January 2025, the president directed officials to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Trump referenced that decision Thursday while discussing the latest change.
“The Lake of America was something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, actually. As you know, we took something called the Gulf of Mexico — we changed it — and now it’s very routinely the Gulf of America,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Thursday.
The proposed Lake Ontario name has faced opposition from Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Because New York borders the lake, Hochul said the state “won’t be calling it that.”
The dispute over the lake’s name has therefore become another point of political friction between Trump and his Democratic critics, while the president’s administration continues its broader trade confrontation with Canada.
Clinton’s post added another prominent Democratic voice to the opposition, while the ensuing reaction from Republican officials and conservative commentators quickly turned the brief message into a major social media discussion.
