Michigan tourist who posted about wearing 'Lake America' sweatshirts to Halifax says it was AI
A map labelling Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' is displayed after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change its name on Aug. 27 in the White House in Washington, D.C. A group of travellers from Michigan has received backlash for posting a photo of 'Lake America' sweatshirts. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Social SharingA CEO from Michigan has cut her trip to Halifax short after she says she's received death threats over a viral Facebook photo where she and three family members appear to be wearing "Lake America" sweatshirts.
"Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will," said the Sept. 11 photo originally posted by Jane Smith, the CEO of Saginaw-based Family First Credit Union, followed by "lol lol."
In the photo, which has gone viral, Smith and three family members smile and pose in the airport before boarding a flight to Halifax for what was supposed to be a 10-day trip.
Judging by the reaction online, just a few weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to re-name Lake Ontario "Lake America" amid the trade war between the two countries, Canadians were not lol-ing.
"I'd say you dingdongs have messed with the wrong city," a Haligonian commented on an Instagram post by Breaking News Canada that shared the image, which has since been deleted from Facebook.
"Imagine coming to another country to visit and shop and dine at our businesses while actively disrespecting them and expecting great service and kindness. I wonder how many spit burgers and drinks they consumed," commented another person.
"And on the anniversary of 9/11 when Atlantic Canadians were so kind and welcoming of stranded Americans," commented another person on a Facebook post by Northly Halifax.
A screen grab of an Instagram post by Breaking News Canada from Sept. 13 shows the since-deleted Facebook photo by Jane Smith that went viral. (@breakingnews.ca/Instagram)CBC News has reached out to Smith and the Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, Mich., and not yet heard back. An automatic email reply from Smith said she was out of office "starting today" until Monday.
But in an interview Thursday with ABC12 News in Michigan, Smith said the image was AI-generated and meant to be a joke.
"We weren't trying to make a political statement," Smith told the news outlet.
"However, we were, you know, kind of poking fun at the fact that you know one of the Great Lakes' names were getting changed."
She further explained that the sweatshirts weren't real, saying she ran a photo of them through ChatGPT to add the "Lake America" gear, then posted it to her private Facebook page with an AI label.
When they arrived in Halifax, it was her sister who then re-posted it publicly, added the comment, and didn't include the AI warning, Smith said.
"We never had actual sweatshirts. We never wore sweatshirts."
There's been ongoing backlash over Trump's proposed name change on both sides of the border. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canadians will call it Lake Ontario "now and always," while Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said "we're into some real foolishness now."
In the U.S., three members of Congress have introduced a bill aimed at stopping Trump's renaming, titled "Hands off our Great Lakes."
"Americans are struggling to afford groceries, housing and everyday essentials, and yet this president chooses to pick petty fights with our closest ally," Democratic Congressman Tim Kennedy, who represents Buffalo and Niagara Falls, N.Y., said in an Aug. 31 news release.
Smith told ABC12 News her family returned to Michigan early because they were receiving death threats, but didn't elaborate.
CBC News has reached out to the Halifax District RCMP, which said they can't confirm whether any individual or organization is associated with a police investigation unless or until charges are confirmed in court or there's an operational need to do so.
In an earlier statement to ABC12 News, Smith said she would like to "sincerely apologize."
"It was insensitive, distasteful and in poor judgment. It should never have been created or shared. Though the image did not depict a real event, I understand that the image was hurtful and offensive," Smith said.
"I never intended to insult, mock or harm anyone, but I recognize that my intent does not erase the impact. I take full responsibility for creating and sharing the image."
The board of directors at Family First Credit Union told ABC12 it "disapproves and rejects" Smith's post, adding they "support and respect our Canadian neighbours."
A young child plays with a ball near a sign reading 'Lake Ontario, Now and Always,' unveiled by Ontario Premier Doug Ford near Grimsby, Ont., on Aug. 29. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)ABOUT THE AUTHORNatalie StechysonSenior Writer & Editor
Natalie Stechyson has been a writer and editor at CBC News since 2021. She covers stories on social trends, families, gender, human interest, as well as general news. She's worked as a journalist since 2009, with stints at the Globe and Mail and Postmedia News, among others. Before joining CBC News, she was the parents editor at HuffPost Canada, where she won a silver Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work on pregnancy loss. You can reach her at natalie.stechyson@cbc.ca.
