Speaking at a rally in Highland Heights, Kentucky, Donald Trump pointed to his relationship with Google as proof that his second term carries more weight than his first. He brought up his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario, then said: "I called Google, Google Maps. See, Google wouldn't have taken my call in the first term. Now they kiss my ass."
Trump's account implies he personally pushed Google into reflecting those name changes. Google's public explanation differs: the company says it simply follows official government sources, such as GNIS in the US, under a long-standing policy for bodies of water whose names vary by country.
As The Verge notes, the episode comes amid a broader pattern of Silicon Valley—including Google and CEO Sundar Pichai—going out of its way to ingratiate itself with Trump through gifts, compliments, and donations. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.