U.S.TOP STORY
Trump 'thinking of' renaming Atlantic or Pacific
The president floated the idea at a Tennessee rally on Saturday, following earlier talk of renaming Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico; no order has been announced.

At a glance
- First reported by The Hill: “Trump 'thinking of' renaming Atlantic or Pacific”.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:52 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Chip Darnell.
- Topics: Atlantic, Mexico Pacific, Trump.
- BBN covered this story before: Amelia Earhart expedition heads to Pacific atoll to test satellite… (October 12).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTime to pay that off: the president says he is thinking of renaming the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean, and he said it at a rally in Tennessee on Saturday.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHe also talked about his earlier renaming efforts, Vera, including Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico, so the oceans would be the biggest name on the list yet.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Hill reports he did not say which ocean, or what the new name would be, and no formal order has been announced.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo two oceans are sitting there not knowing which one gets the letter. That's a lot of suspense for the water.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThink of the mapmakers, though! Every classroom wall in America, redone, and I bet somebody's cousin sells the new globes.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA globe is mostly ocean. They'd be reprinting the whole thing.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSeventy-one percent of it, and the ocean has never once been asked how it feels.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHas anyone asked the fish?

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe fish are not on the guest list, Chip. Neither is the ocean, and it's been here longer than all of us.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd it has stayed wet and quiet through every rebrand. That's a better attitude than anyone on this desk.
The story so far
- What to Know About Isaias, the First Atlantic Hurricane of the Season · The New York Times
- Small-Town Pacific Coast Bakery Is a Wine Country Picnic Spot · Tasting Table
- Hurricane Simon strengthens to Category 4 off Mexico's coast · Al Jazeera
- Hurricane Simon lashes Mexico's Pacific coast as a powerful Category… · CBS News
- North Korea fires ballistic missiles; Erie shooting leaves eight dead · Washington Examiner
- Amelia Earhart expedition heads to Pacific atoll to test satellite… · The Guardian
- Trump 'thinking of' renaming Atlantic or Pacific (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 12, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months

