▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Google if the Atlantic Ocean could be renamed, only to be turned down.
President Trump previously signed executive orders to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario on the U.S.-Canada border to the Gulf of America and Lake America, respectively, sparking diplomatic friction with the countries involved.
According to the U.S. daily The Washington Post, President Trump floated the idea of renaming the Atlantic Ocean during a campaign rally ahead of the U.S. midterm elections held in South Carolina on the night of the 22nd (local time).
Stating, "We have lakes and bays, and now we need rivers and oceans," he shared that he had called Google CEO Sundar Pichai to discuss the idea.
President Trump recounted that he asked Pichai if Google could handle renaming the Atlantic Ocean just as it did with previous name changes, but was turned down.
Pichai reportedly responded, "The oceans border many countries, so the situation is different. We won't do it this time. Please don't ask me that."
Private companies providing online mapping services, including Google, have generally accommodated the names changed by President Trump for U.S. users.
President Trump added that because of Google's refusal, he likely will not rename the Atlantic Ocean, but is instead considering whether the Pacific Ocean could be renamed the "American Ocean."
Google did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
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