Podcaster Joe Rogan criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Rogan suggested the change aims to “distract” Americans from the ongoing conflict with Iran. On his Tuesday podcast with comedian Brian Simpson, Rogan, a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s involvement in Iran, argued the lake’s renaming could divert attention from what he sees as an unwinnable conflict.
Trump signed an executive order on August 27, instructing the federal government to use “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario in U.S. federal geographic naming systems. This change occurs amid deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations and rising trade tensions. It applies only to U.S. federal usage and does not affect Canada’s continued use of Lake Ontario or establish a new international name for the lake.
To distract you from the fact that we’re in a war that we can’t win in Iran,Rogan said, addressing the purpose of renaming the lake.It doesn’t make any sense. Like who cares, it’s Lake Ontario, it’s a good name, we’ve had that name forever.
Rogan has been increasingly vocal about Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict. Earlier this year, he questioned the administration’s decision to enter the war and suggested an Israeli role in U.S. involvement. He also argued that Trump’s supporters might feel betrayed by the president’s decision to engage in war, fueling his latest criticisms.
The Lake America controversy has become a political and cultural story itself. Google has adopted “Lake America” for U.S. users, while maintaining “Lake Ontario” for Canadian users, showing the limited reach of the name change.
Polling on the Iran War and ‘Lake America’
Rogan’s statements come as the Trump administration continues its military campaign against Iran, with new strikes on Iranian targets. Public support for the war, however, has decreased. A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll released Monday reported 68 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran war. The poll surveyed 1,000 respondents from August 21–26, 2026, with a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
A YouGov/Economist poll from August 14-17, 2026, found Trump’s approval rating on Iran at 30 percent, with 62 percent disapproval. Additionally, 25 percent think the war with Iran was the right decision, compared to 57 percent believing it was the wrong decision. The poll surveyed 1,611 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
Regarding the renaming of Lake Ontario, a YouGov/Economist survey from August 28 to 31, 2026, found that 17 percent approve, while 68 percent disapprove. The poll surveyed 1,592 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 3.5 percent. Likewise, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from August 28 to 30, 2026, found only 14 percent support the renaming, while 63 percent oppose it. This poll surveyed 1,023 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of 4 percent.