A fake pic, a firing, and death threats.

Just when I think people might be getting smarter when it comes to what they post on social media, I am proven wrong.
 
Jane Smith, the chief executive of a Michigan bank decided to use AI to create a vacation pic of her family wearing sweatshirts that read “Lake America. This photo, which went viral, not only outraged virtually every Canadian, but also millions of Americans.
 
In August 2026, President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario (known as such for over 400 years) as the result of an ongoing trade war with Canada.
 
The photo led to in Smith getting fired from her position at Family First Credit Union.
 
"We weren't trying to make a political statement," Smith told local media. "However, we were kind of poking fun at the fact that one of the Great Lakes' names were getting changed."
 
It seems not many people shared in the fun. Smith quickly began to receive death threats, causing her family having to cut their vacation short.
 
It would be easy for me to say that the takeaway is to not post stupid stuff, but it goes deeper than that.
 
I believe businesspeople whose reputation can impact their careers should follow the rule of staying out of politics and international affairs. No exceptions. Unless you are a politician or a political commentator, or a YouTuber, your opinions will accomplish nothing positive. No matter which side you are one, there will be lots of people who will oppose your position – often with irrational rage.
 
I see too many business owners choosing to share their views and opinions about domestic and international affairs. They will claim to be on the right side of history. But they risk becoming history themselves.
 
With a world full of irrational people with mental problems, you have better things to do than worry about death threats from some deranged guy in Cleveland.
 
Please, for the greater good of your business, your family, and your sanity, leave your political opinions for dinner parties and family gatherings. That way you’ll at least know where the death threats are coming from.