Trump jokes about renaming Strait of Hormuz to 'Trump Strait' amid Iran clashes

US President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as 'Trump Strait' on Truth Social on June 11, 2026, claiming US control of the vital oil waterway, then hours later implied he wasn't serious with a chuckle to reporters. The White House briefly posted a map showing the new name before Trump downplayed the idea, saying 'It was just thrown out there.'

This matters because the Strait carries one-fifth of the world's oil, and any volatility there directly impacts global fuel prices—including Nigeria's oil-dependent economy. Trump's renaming proposal comes amid active US-Iran clashes, with fresh US strikes near the Strait on Tuesday prompting Iranian retaliatory threats and claims of wedding guest casualties.

The suggestion fits a pattern: Trump recently renamed Lake Ontario 'Lake America' during a Canada trade war and the Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America' on returning to office in January 2025—neither change accepted by neighboring countries. Meanwhile, Iran has effectively shut down the Strait in retaliation for the US-Israeli assault that began in late February 2026, a conflict Trump says could see renewed attacks 'any time we want' but won't last 'too long.'

For Nigeria, persistent instability in this chokepoint risks further oil price swings affecting national revenue and pump prices. Should you view this as predictable presidential trolling requiring no action, or as a signal to monitor oil market volatility more closely given your exposure to energy sector fluctuations?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/03/trump-suggests-renaming-strait-of-hormuz-as-trump-strait/