‘What is a corner store?’ Confusion over Trump’s term sparks distrust
At a tax roundtable in Nevada, President Donald Trump claimed he had never heard of the term “corner store,” sparking disbelief online.
Ohio residents are concerned that the wildlife sanctuary’s name will create an unfair association with President Donald Trump.
In March, the Ohio Department of Wildlife recommended renaming the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Refuge south of Columbus as the Trump Wildlife Refuge. The name was one of more than a dozen proposed as part of a rule review that is required at least every five years, The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
The proposal was met with backlash online, with some believing the name implied a connection to the president or downplayed the importance of the person who donated the land.
“This change sends a clear partisan message. In the current political climate, removing ‘Charles O’ and only elevating ‘Trump’ is not a neutral administrative cleanse,” a Reddit user posted on the Ohio subreddit in March. “Whether the (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) intended it or not, this reads as a political branding decision. Public wildlife lands should not be used to send coded partisan messages.”
Another Reddit user said: “I strongly disagree with this proposal…This is a partisan political act and not a proper use of public land. This is not China, Russia or North Korea.”
Wildlife sanctuaries have nothing to do with the president.
The 128-acre Charles O. Trump Wildlife Refuge is named for Ohio farmer and philanthropist Charles O. Trump, who donated the land in 1996, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Charles had no relationship with the current president.
Despite the lack of connection, this is not the first time a naming proposal has faced backlash.
In 2020, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website briefly listed the area as a “Trump Wildlife Habitat Hunting Preserve.” The name and misspelling drew attention, but a spokesperson clarified that the site was named after the person who donated the land, not President Trump.
The state has no plans to retire long-standing names.
Carina Chan, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, told the Columbus Dispatch that the department has no plans to remove “Charles O.” From signs and materials of protected areas. “Charles O. Trump Wildlife Refuge” and “Trump Wildlife Refuge” can be used interchangeably.
When asked about his involvement in the alias, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he did not start it.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think all of the original names should and will be retained. All of them will be retained,” DeWine told reporters on April 13. This type of rule change is not something the governor typically involves.
The next step for the alternative name is for the Ohio Wildlife Council to vote on the proposal on April 29. If approved, the rule would go into effect on June 30th.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Ohio government reporter Jesse Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X..
