Jane Smith, the former CEO of Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, Michigan, is no longer employed there after posting a photo on social media showing her family wearing sweatshirts emblazoned with the words 'Lake America,' according to multiple outlets.
The photo, posted to Facebook, appeared to be edited using AI, according to CNBC, which reported Smith shared the image on Sept. 11. The Daily Wire reported the sweatshirts in the photo never existed and were generated by AI.
'Lake America' refers to a name President Donald Trump ordered US agencies to use for Lake Ontario amid a trade dispute with Canada, according to The Guardian.
Family First Credit Union announced Smith would no longer serve as CEO and apologized 'for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has' caused, according to The Guardian and the New York Post.
According to the Daily Wire, Smith had been preparing for a 10-day family trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the time the photo went viral and sparked online backlash.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian reported Jane Smith used ChatGPT to create the image referencing Trump's renaming push for Lake Ontario amid the Canada trade war.
- The Guardian noted Family First Credit Union's statement apologized 'for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has' caused.
- The Independent framed the story around the photo going viral before Smith's job loss.
“Michigan CEO loses job after posting AI-made image of her family in ‘Lake America’ sweaters” — The Guardian
Center
- CNBC reported Smith posted the allegedly AI-edited photo to Facebook on Sept. 11 showing her family in 'Lake America' sweatshirts.
- The Times of India emphasized that Smith herself confirmed she had lost her job following the post.
“Smith on Sept. 11 had posted an allegedly AI-edited photo on Facebook of her family dressed in "Lake America" sweatshirts.” — CNBC
Right
- The Daily Wire emphasized the sweatshirts 'never existed,' underscoring the AI-generated nature of the image.
- The Daily Wire reported Smith had been preparing for a family trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, when the backlash occurred.
- The New York Post highlighted the credit union's statement citing 'disappointment and pain' caused by the incident.
“CEO Out Of A Job Over ‘Lake America’ Sweatshirts That Never Existed” — The Daily Wire
Questions readers ask
What happened to the Michigan credit union CEO?
Jane Smith, CEO of Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, Michigan, lost her job after posting a viral photo, reportedly AI-generated, showing her family in 'Lake America' sweatshirts.
What does 'Lake America' refer to?
According to The Guardian, 'Lake America' is a name President Donald Trump ordered US agencies to use for Lake Ontario amid a trade dispute with Canada.
Was the photo real?
The photo appeared to be AI-generated, according to CNBC and the Daily Wire, and the Daily Wire reported the sweatshirts shown never actually existed.
Did the company comment on her departure?
Family First Credit Union announced Smith would no longer be CEO and apologized 'for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has' caused, according to The Guardian and the New York Post.
Sources · 9 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningMichigan CEO loses job after posting AI-made image of her family in ‘Lake America’ sweaters
- The IndependentLeft-leaningCEO loses job over viral photo of family in ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts
- CNBCCenterCEO who posted 'Lake America' sweatshirt photos is no longer with the company
- NewsNationCenter‘Lake America’: CEO out after AI-generated sweatshirt image
- The Times of IndiaCenterMichigan CEO who posted AI photo of family members wearing ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts loses job; she says
- National PostRight-leaningMichigan CEO who posted 'Lake America' sweatshirt photo no longer with company
- New York PostRight-leaningMichigan credit union CEO out after posting AI photo with ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts: ‘Disappointment and pain’
- The Daily WireRight-leaningCEO Out Of A Job Over ‘Lake America’ Sweatshirts That Never Existed
- Toronto SunRight-leaningMichigan CEO out of job after posting AI photo of ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts