The Associated Press announced it will continue referring to the Great Lake by its longstanding name of Lake Ontario rather than adopting the new designation directed by President Donald Trump.

President Trump issued an executive order instructing federal agencies to call the body of water "Lake America." The order targets the shared U.S.-Canadian waterway that borders New York, among other states.

In internal guidance to journalists, the news agency directed staff to acknowledge the president's order while retaining the established geographic name in reporting. The AP cited its commitment to traditional nomenclature and accuracy in geographic references.

The decision highlights ongoing friction between the Trump administration and major media organizations over federal naming policies and executive authority. Lake Ontario forms part of the Great Lakes system and has carried its current name for centuries in official maps, treaties, and historical records.

Federal agencies are expected to implement the change in government documents and communications as required by the order. The AP's stance applies specifically to its own editorial standards and does not bind other outlets or public entities.