President Trump told a South Carolina rally crowd this week that he personally called Google CEO Sundar Pichai to ask about renaming the Atlantic Ocean. According to Trump, Pichai declined, explaining that oceans cover many countries and aren’t the same as renaming a gulf or a lake. Trump said he’d “probably pass” on the idea and keep the Atlantic’s name as is.
The remark comes after Trump signed executive orders renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario, and he told the crowd he’s now looking for a river to rename, mentioning the Hudson and Mississippi as possibilities. For Suncoast residents, the Gulf renaming has already been visible on Google Maps, making this story feel a little more local than you’d expect.
The bigger question is about influence: how much say should a president have over what a private tech company prints on its maps? Is it harmless branding, or something more? Either way, it’s sparked plenty of conversation, and we want to hear from you. Do you think Google made the right call saying no?
