Canadian rock star Bryan Adams is facing criticism after releasing “Lake Ontario,” a new song that takes aim at President Donald Trump.
The 66-year-old singer unveiled the track Wednesday, targeting Trump’s August executive order renaming the body of water Lake America.
Although the lyrics never mention Trump by name, they describe “one dude” who changes the lake’s name, launches a war in Iran and refers to the Epstein files.
One verse says: “But things weren’t going his way in Iran. So like a baby tossing the toys from the pram. He may have thought it best to throw a low blow.
“And create a real dog and pony show. But it feels like another distraction. While the Epstein files were getting traction
“One day they’ll come out, and we’ll say ‘there you go.’ And then we’ll all dive into Lake Ontario.”
Adams also criticizes Trump for disturbing the peace of communities established along the lake’s “banks and shores.” Lake Ontario is shared by New York State and the Canadian province of Ontario.
A lyric video released Wednesday shows Adams near the lake. The singer also teased the song as part of an album scheduled for release next month.
However, once the lyrics began circulating online, social media users criticized the singer-songwriter for bringing politics into his music.
Adams, pictured last year, released the lake-inspired track Wednesday after Trump’s August executive order proposed changing its name.
Bryan Adams draws backlash for political lyrics
“Adams just lost fans. Just sing and stop talking politics,” one person wrote on X.
Another mocked the singer by referencing one of his best-known hits: “This guy hasn’t been relevant since the Summer of ’69.”
“Dude has lived in Europe for three decades. He should stick to writing love songs. No one cares what this European has to say about Canada,” another user posted.
A fourth critic wrote: “Well, there goes another artist I’ll never listen to again. They should just play music and shut the [expletive] up.”
Trump turned his attention to Lake Ontario earlier this year, during an escalating trade dispute with Canada.
In a TikTok video posted August 26, Trump said he wanted to give the lake a more distinctly American name.
“We’re gonna make a little change, we’re gonna call it something different than Lake Ontario,” he said.
“We’re gonna call it Lake America. And all it takes is a good pen and some intelligence.”
Trump then illustrated the proposal by using a Sharpie to cross out the lake’s existing name on a map and write “LAKE AMERICA” above it.
Canadians have continued to use the lake’s traditional name, while Trump’s renaming effort has drawn opposition from liberals and conservatives alike in the United States.
Despite the attacks on Adams, some conservatives have also accused Trump of using the name change to distract from the unpopular war in Iran.
If polling proves accurate, the continuing conflict could cost the Republican Party seats in traditional GOP strongholds during next week’s midterm elections.
The proposal was the latest in a series of geographic name changes introduced by Trump’s administration since he began his second term.
One verse says: “But things weren’t going his way in Iran. So like a baby tossing the toys from the pram. He may have thought it best to throw a low blow.”
Trump displays the executive order proposing to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America.
Trump formalizes Gulf of America name change
One of Trump’s first major moves was ordering federal agencies to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” The sweeping change quickly became a symbol of his America First agenda.
“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” Trump told reporters at the time.
“Which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate.”
The decision attracted international attention because the large body of water borders not only the United States but also Mexico and Cuba.
While Washington controls the terminology used by its own federal agencies, it cannot force foreign governments to adopt its preferred geographic names.
