Donald Trump claims influence over Google Maps naming

During a campaign event in Kentucky, US President Donald Trump claimed he has exerted significant influence over technology companies, specifically Google. Trump alleged that he personally intervened to change geographic names on Google Maps, citing the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' and Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'.

Trump also recounted a conversation with Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai regarding a proposal to rename the Atlantic Ocean as the 'Trump Ocean' or 'Ocean of the Americas'. While Trump joked about the idea and suggested the Pacific Ocean could also be renamed the 'American Ocean', he later clarified that he was likely joking about the ocean names.

Google has responded to claims of direct interference, stating that its mapping platform relies on official government data, such as the Geographic Names Information System in the United States. The company noted that for bodies of water with varying international names, the platform displays the name valid for the user's specific location.