Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Trump says Google rejected his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean
At a rally in South Carolina, Donald Trump said he asked Google to rename the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps.
Trump said he called Google CEO Sundar Pichai and proposed naming the ocean after himself or America.
According to Trump, Pichai refused, saying oceans are different because they cover many countries.
Trump has previously ordered US agencies to use “Gulf of America” and “Lake America” for the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario.
Google Maps displays those new names for US users, while people in Mexico and Canada still see the original names.
Trump said he would probably drop the Atlantic proposal, and Google had not responded to requests for comment.
President Donald Trump said Google CEO Sundar Pichai rejected his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps.
Trump said he had considered naming the Atlantic Ocean after “Trump” or “America” and would probably not pursue the change.
According to Trump, Pichai said oceans cover many countries and asked him not to make the request.
Trump recounted the conversation at a rally at Clemson University in South Carolina, which Variety said took place Tuesday evening; Engadget described it as Wednesday.
Google had renamed the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario for US users, according to the articles.
- Who
- President Donald Trump said he asked Google CEO Sundar Pichai about renaming the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps.
- What
- Trump said Pichai rejected the request. Trump said he would probably pass on renaming the Atlantic.
- When
- Trump recounted the conversation at a rally in October 2026. Variety said the rally was Tuesday evening; Engadget said Wednesday.
- Where
- At a rally at Clemson University in South Carolina.
- Why
- Trump said he had considered renaming the Atlantic Ocean “Trump” or “America.” He said he wanted to add an ocean to the Gulf and lake already renamed after America.
Donald Trump
Sundar Pichai, as reported by Trump
Requesting a name change
Donald Trump
Trump said he asked whether Google Maps could rename the Atlantic Ocean, possibly “Trump” or “America.
Sundar Pichai, as reported by Trump
Trump said Pichai rejected the request.
Reasoning about the change
Donald Trump
Trump said he had seriously considered renaming the Atlantic Ocean.
Sundar Pichai, as reported by Trump
Trump quoted Pichai as saying oceans cover many countries and asking him not to make the request.
Google Maps relabeled the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for US users.
Google Maps relabeled Lake Ontario as Lake America for US users.
Trump said he called Sundar Pichai to ask about renaming the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps.
Trump said he would probably pass on trying to rename the Atlantic Ocean.
- Requested change
- Rename the Atlantic Ocean on Google Maps
- Google CEO
- Sundar Pichai
- Rally venue
- Clemson University, South Carolina
- Gulf name on Google Maps
- Gulf of America for US users
- Lake name on Google Maps
- Lake America for US users
3 sources
What people are saying
Sundar, I’m thinking of the Atlantic Ocean. Can you handle it?
So we have a lake. And we have a gulf. Now we need a river, and we need an ocean.
No, no, no, this time I'm not doing it
No, no, no — this time I’m not doing it… Oceans are different, sir. They cover really a lot of countries. Please don’t ask us to do that.