Donald Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid an escalating trade war with Canada 'is kind of dumb,' according to far-right political commentator Matt Walsh.

The Daily Wire podcaster offered the opinion on X Thursday while replying to a post from the White House promoting the change. Trump signed an executive order making the new name official shortly before.

Walsh, 40, first acknowledged how his take would prove 'unpopular' with his conservative fanbase.

He then sought to school the administration – explaining how the name 'Lake Ontario' initially began appearing on maps created by European explorers way back in the 1660s, 'long before the Canadian province of Ontario was named,' he noted.

'There are several cities in America called Ontario - at least one of them predating the Canadian province by like 100 years - because the word originates with native tribes in North America,' Walsh continued. 

'It's not a Canadian invention. Canadians never uniquely owned the lake or the name.

'So in effect all you're doing here is actually giving them credit for a thing that wasn't theirs to begin with.'

Walsh's unapologetic history lesson rapidly received 3.3 million views.

The 'Am I Racist' director couldn't resist a parting blow. 

'Yeah it's funny when Canadians are upset I guess or whatever, but Lake Ontario, the name itself, is *American* history dating back many centuries.  

'Not sure how you own Canada by deleting your own history.'

The White House originally wrote: 'EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Lake Ontario is renamed to LAKE AMERICA!'

An image of a map that reflected the name-change was attached.

A host of other commentators – on the left and on the right – criticized the move Thursday as well.

Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle, of Pennsylvania, wrote: 'If you're wondering how much this will lower grocery or gas prices, the answer is $0.'

Vermont's Republican governor, Phil Scott, dubbed the move 'petty and disappointing' in his own X post.

'We should be at the negotiating table, finding a path forward that strengthens both the US and Canadian economies.

'Further escalating tensions does nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses,' he wrote.

The rare bipartisan backlash came as trade talks between the two countries collapsed this week.

Trump enacted 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods over the weekend. Canada responded with similar tariffs on some US products.

Trump told reporters while signing the executive order in the Oval Office: 'Lake of America was something I’ve been thinking about for a long time.'

He brought up how he renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America last year.

'Now, all we need is an ocean,' the President joked.

'So, maybe we’ll have to change the name of the Atlantic and/or the Pacific. Maybe we’ll change them both.'

A map emblazoned with the tagline 'Making the Great Lakes Even Greater' was propped up behind him.

Walsh, meanwhile, is no stranger to speaking out against the President despite being one of his most ardent supporters.

Trump's decision to force Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino into early retirement this year received criticism from the commentator at the time. He is also an outspoken critic of the Iran war, as a supporter of 'America First' views.