Renaming Lake Ontario Is ‘silly Talk’: Hochul

GEDDES, New York — Gov. Kathy Hochul used her annual visit to the New York State Fair on Wednesday to reach out to farmers slammed by the Trump administration’s ongoing tariff war with Canada.

And she also brushed off one of the oddest fronts in the ongoing trade dispute.

President Donald Trump said yesterday he’s “giving serious consideration” to changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” since he doesn’t expect “much business with Ontario any longer.”

“Let’s not have silly talk right now,” responded Hochul, the governor of the only state that borders the world’s 13th largest lake.

“The fact that this is even part of the conversation shows how absurd the Trump administration is. They should be focusing on ways to mend relationships with Canada so our farmers and our consumers and our families do not continue suffering from this inane war over tariffs,” she said.

Celebrating New York agriculture is always at the heart of governors’ messages at the state fair. But Hochul’s framing during this election year was more tailored toward attacking federal policy and touting her party as the one that will stand up for farmers.

New York Democrats made massive gains in rural counties in 2025. But it’s an open question whether issues like the trade war might allow that to carry over into higher-profile races on the ballot in 2026.

“I know we’ve got some races across the country in some farming states, and we’re seeing polls show that there are rural communities and farmers that are shifting to our side,” said Rep. John Mannion, who joined Hochul’s fairgrounds tour. “I hope those folks in milk processing and dairy acknowledge who’s fighting for them and who’s hurting them.”

While attending the fair Wednesday, Hochul heard from a maple farmer who said the only manufacturers for the tools she needs are based north of the border, a vintner who bemoaned plummeting Canadian tourism and an orchardist who described “nerve-wracking” uncertainty over his export sales.

“I don’t know how long it takes to heal that relationship,” said Hochul, a Buffalo native and the highest-ranking official in United States history who can see Canada from their house. “How forgiving will they be when there’s a new administration or a different policy toward them?”

The governor touted a $30 million tariff relief program for farmers to “help them get through this.”

She also made the usual stops at the 185-year-old fair located outside Syracuse. She sipped the 25-cent chocolate milk. And she posed for photos with dozens of attendees — nearly all of whom were polite, outside of one woman who didn’t seem likely to vote for Hochul. “Hope you sleep well before you end up in hell!” she shouted at the governor.

Hochul grabbed lunch at Basilio’s Italian Sausage stand. That’s been the most essential campaign stop for those running for statewide office in New York since Rick Lazio’s refusal to eat a sausage helped doom his 2000 Senate campaign against Hillary Clinton.