At a rally in Kentucky on 17 October, Donald Trump said Google now answers his calls. He claimed that in his first term the company would not take his call, and that now they kiss my ass. He was talking about the rename of the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario.
Trump seemed to suggest he had persuaded Google Maps to show the new names. Google has said it simply follows official government sources, including the US Board on Geographic Names.
The company did not comment on the rally.
π The Backstory
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico was one of Trump's early moves in his second term. Map companies had to decide whether to follow the US name or keep the old one. Google said its policy is to show local official names.
Since then, big tech firms have worked hard to stay on good terms with the White House. Leaders have attended events, given donations and praised the administration. Critics say this closeness can soften how platforms handle rules and speech.
π― Why It Matters
When tech giants flatter politicians, rules on maps, search and speech can bend. What people see online is not always neutral.
At a rally in Kentucky on 17 October, Donald Trump said Google now answers his calls. He claimed that in his first term the company would not take his call, and that now they kiss my ass. He was talking about the rename of the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario.
Trump seemed to suggest he had persuaded Google Maps to show the new names. Google has said it simply follows official government sources, including the US Board on Geographic Names.
The company did not comment on the rally.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico was one of Trump's early moves in his second term. Map companies had to decide whether to follow the US name or keep the old one. Google said its policy is to show local official names.
Since then, big tech firms have worked hard to stay on good terms with the White House. Leaders have attended events, given donations and praised the administration. Critics say this closeness can soften how platforms handle rules and speech.
When tech giants flatter politicians, rules on maps, search and speech can bend. What people see online is not always neutral.