A Michigan tourist who gained widespread attention after a Facebook photo surfaced showing her and three family members sporting “Lake America” sweatshirts has left her position with her employer. Jane Smith, the former CEO of Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, is no longer working there, as stated on the company’s website on Wednesday.
The announcement, addressed to “Family First Credit Union Members and Community” and signed by the chair of the board of directors, informed that Jane Smith’s employment termination was effective immediately. The statement revealed that Jason Acosta, the chief operations officer, has taken on the role of interim CEO. However, no details were provided regarding the reasons behind Smith’s departure or whether the decision to part ways was voluntary.
The board of directors mentioned that they are constrained by legal regulations, specifically section 381 of the Michigan Credit Union Act, preventing them from disclosing the circumstances surrounding Smith’s exit. They expressed their gratitude for the understanding of members and the community regarding these legal restrictions.
In response to the situation, the Family First Credit Union issued an apology on their Facebook page, acknowledging the distress and disappointment caused by the incident. The company emphasized its commitment to acting in the best interest of the Credit Union, maintaining the trust of its members, and prioritizing the community’s well-being.
The controversy stemmed from a photo shared by Smith on her way to Halifax, where she and her family members donned “Lake America” sweatshirts that she later clarified were generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This post, which sparked negative reactions, came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” amidst trade tensions with Canada. Canadians did not take kindly to the jest.
In an interview with ABC12 News, Smith clarified that the image was created using AI as a humorous gesture and was not intended as a political statement. She explained that the sweatshirts were fictional, generated through ChatGPT, and shared privately on her Facebook before being reposted publicly by her sister without the AI disclaimer.
The debate over Trump’s proposed lake name change has stirred reactions on both sides of the border, with Prime Minister Mark Carney affirming that Canadians will continue to refer to it as Lake Ontario. Meanwhile, in the U.S., a bill titled “Hands off our Great Lakes” has been introduced by three members of Congress to block Trump’s renaming initiative.