The ugly American stereotype got some more promotion recently when couples from Saginaw, Michigan, made a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia for a 10-day vacation. Their plans were thwarted, however, when Jane Smith's "funny" Facebook picture went viral. Because of the bad publicity, they cut their trip short after only a few days, with Smith saying she had received death threats, allegedly. Her apology reads more like excuse-making to me, but your mileage may vary.
The caption for her post (since taken down) read, “Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will. Lol lol.”
That doesn't sound like contrition. I could be wrong.
Source: WJRT
SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) - A Mid-Michigan CEO is sharing her story after a viral AI-doctored photo showing her and some family members wearing 'Lake America' sweatshirts sparked controversy and death threats.
Jane Smith, CEO of Saginaw-based Family First Credit Union, said the post started innocently enough. Her family was leaving on Sept. 11 for a planned 10-day trip to Halifax and it got them talking about President Trump's recent executive order to rename Lake Ontario.
"We weren't trying to make a political statement," Smith said. "However, we were, you know, kind of poking fun at the fact that you know one of the Great Lakes' names were getting changed."
Smith said they snapped a quick picture and put it through ChatGPT to see what it would look like if they were wearing Lake America sweatshirts.
The doctored image was originally posted to Smith's private Facebook page in what she describes as a poor-judgment attempt at humor with a marker saying it contained AI content.
But Smith said her sister Lisa, who was with her on the trip, reposted it publicly without that marker.
"My sister took a screenshot, she made her own comment and she posted it," she said. "We were in Halifax at the time. We never had actual sweatshirts. We never wore sweatshirts."
Apparently, Smith got in some hot water from her employer for insensitivity, and Family First Credit Union issued a statement condemning her actions. Jane Smith also said later, "I understand if I was someone in Halifax and I thought a poor group of people walked in wearing those sweatshirts, it is highly offensive and I would understand why they would be so angry."
Family First Credit Union:
“Although the post involved Ms. Smith in her personal capacity in connection with a family vacation, the post is unacceptable. … We support and respect our Canadian neighbors, and we completely disavow Ms. Smith’s actions, which were undertaken without the authorization or knowledge of the Credit Union," the statement read.
‘magine being this fucking ignorant, someone on the waterfront should have sent them for a swim or told them to go on the black rocks at Peggy’s Cove, ignorant Americans also they they think Lake Ontario is in Halifax ? pic.twitter.com/D8MuVah3ZL
— 🦞🇨🇦Chris⚓️🌠⬜️🟥 (@Christine1962NS) September 13, 2026
