Dueling Lake Hats: A Merchandise Showdown Emerges After Trump's Renaming of Lake Ontario

The recent executive order by President Donald Trump to rename Lake Ontario has ignited a merchandise battle, with two distinct hats emerging to represent opposing views. On one side, Canadian designers are championing the lake's original name, while the U.S. has embraced the new moniker.

In response to Trump’s declaration, Liam Mooney and Emma Cochrane, the creative duo behind Ottawa's Jackpine design studio, have introduced a 'Lake Ontario' hat featuring the lake's original name alongside a Canadian maple leaf. Their collection, branded under 'Canada Is Not for Sale,' aims to counteract Trump's transactional politics, with Mooney stating their goal is to “subvert President Trump’s most powerful political symbol.” The hats, priced at $40, are already a hit, selling several thousand units within a week, including over 1,000 to U.S. customers.

Conversely, the Trump Store is selling 'Lake America' hats for $55, adorned with the embroidered '45/47'—a nod to his presidency. This product has also been met with high demand, prompting a 10 to 15 business day shipping delay. While Trump has previously turned renaming efforts into merchandise, this latest attempt has drawn criticism, with a recent poll indicating that 63% of Americans oppose the renaming decision.

Source: www.fastcompany.com