Ohioans are concerned the name of a wildlife preserve will create an unjust tie to PresidentDonald Trump.
In March, Ohio's Division of Wildliferecommendedan alternative name for theCharles O. Trump Wildlife Areasouth of Columbus: "Trump wildlife preserve." The name was one of more than a dozen proposed as part of a rule review required at least every five years, as reported byThe Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
"This change sends an obvious partisan message. In the current political climate, removing 'Charles O.' and elevating only 'Trump' is not a neutral administrative cleanup," a Reddit user posted in theOhio sub-Redditin March. "It reads as a political branding decision, whether (the Ohio Department of Natural Resources) intends that or not. Public wildlife lands should not be used to send coded partisan messages."
Another Reddit user said: "I strongly oppose the proposal ... This is a partisan political act, and not a proper purpose for the use of public lands; this is not China, Russia or North Korea."
President Donald Trump returned to Phoenix to speak at Turning Point USA's "Build the Red Wall" event at Dream City Church on April 17, 2026, ahead of this year's midterm elections.
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Trump speaks in Arizona for Turning Point's 'Build the Red Wall' event
President Donald Trumpreturned to Phoenix to speak at Turning Point USA's "Build the Red Wall" event at Dream City Church on April 17, 2026, ahead of this year's midterm elections.
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The wildlife preserve has no ties to the president
The Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area, which spans 128 acres, is named after Ohio farmer and philanthropist Charles O. Trump, whodonated the land in 1996, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Charles had no ties to the current president.
Despite the lack of connection, this is not the first time a naming suggestion has received backlash.
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In 2020, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website briefly listed the area as the "Trump Wildlife Habitat Hunting Preserve." The name and misspelling drew attentionbefore a spokeswoman clarified:"It’s named for the person who donated the land − not president Trump."
State has no plans to nix long-time name
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Press Secretary Karina Cheung told The Columbus Dispatch the division has no plans to remove "Charles O." from the preserve's signage or materials. "Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area" and "Trump Wildlife Preserve," could be used interchangeably.
When asked his involvement in the alternative name, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he didn't initiate it.
"As far as I’m concerned, we should keep all the original names, and I think that’s what’s going to happen. They’re all going to be kept," DeWine told reporters on April 13. This kind of rule change is not something the governor would typically be involved in.
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 take effect on June 30.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com.
Ohio state government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ohio proposal to isolate 'Trump' name at wildlife area causes stir