Trump's Lake Ontario Name Change Sparks Merchandise War

President Donald Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario has unexpectedly spawned a merchandise conflict, creating distinct product lines for opposing viewpoints. In Canada, a "Lake Ontario" hat, designed by the Ottawa-based studio Jackpine under their "Canada Is Not for Sale" brand, is gaining traction with customers on both sides of the border. Concurrently, within the United States, Trump's company store is offering "Lake America" hats, which feature "45/47" embroidered on the side, referencing Trump's presidential terms. The "Canada Is Not for Sale" brand, founded by husband-and-wife duo Liam Mooney and Emma Cochrane, initially launched last year with hats that used the same Times New Roman font as Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats. This initial line was conceived as a response to Trump's earlier remarks suggesting Canada could be considered the 51st state. The brand's strategy, as explained by Mooney, is to "subvert President Trump's most powerful political symbol and meet him where he is from our perspective—which is a very transactional president who [sees] the world as a zero-sum game." Following Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, Mooney and Cochrane introduced a $40 "Lake Ontario" hat. This hat is available in navy and green colorways and prominently displays the lake's historical name alongside a red Canadian maple leaf on the front, with "Canada Is Not for Sale" embroidered on the back. Complementary shirts and stickers featuring the same design are also part of the collection. While the collection is offered internationally, a version manufactured entirely in Canada is exclusively sold to Canadian consumers. A portion of each sale, specifically $1, is donated to Swim Drink Fish, a Toronto-based charitable organization dedicated to advocating for clean water initiatives. This merchandise has resonated significantly, with Mooney reporting that "in just over a week, the collection has sold several thousand items, including more than 1,000 to customers in the United States." The impact of Trump's executive order has extended beyond merchandise, influencing local responses. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been involved in unveiling new "Lake Ontario" signage on the Canadian side of the lakefront, and local residents are actively engaging with the renaming issue. The situation highlights how political actions can quickly translate into consumer products and cultural commentary, particularly when leveraging established political symbols and branding.