A Kentucky teacher is under fire for posting several TikTok clips in which she is seen wishing for President Donald Trump’s assassination at the hands of the Iranian government. After a huge wave of backlash, it has now been confirmed that the teacher in question, who has since been identified, was suspended without pay.
The teacher in question, since identified as Lauren Smyth, posted her videos on TikTok with the username spedteacherbruh. Her account is now private, but the clips have been reuploaded by other users, including X account LibOrNormal.
The first clip, which triggered the online pushback, featured Lauren commenting on the fallout of the Israeli and American bombing of Iran. She focused her attention on Iran’s retaliation, criticizing their bombing of random cities and civilians. Instead, the Kentucky teacher suggested Iran should focus on the “heart of America.”
“Just go straight to the [expletive] jugular,” Lauren said. “The White House, obviously. The Capitol. I know those are, like, very well-protected. Have you ever heard of a place called Mar-a-Lago?“
After users called her rhetoric out and the video got taken down, Lauren posted another clip. She, however, refused to back down, repeating that Trump spends a lot of time in Mar-a-Lago and mocking users tagging the FBI.
“Do you guys think […] that I’m their biggest problem in this country right now?” the Kentucky teacher asked. “They’re not worried about me. Iran, do you know he spends a lot of time in Mar-a-Lago?“
Further Backlash, Suspension
Again, the internet blasted Lauren, especially after her refusal to take her statements back. Right-wing X account Libs of TikTok then subsequently confirmed that Lauren teaches at Woodford County High School. They contacted Woodford County Public Schools as a result.
Then, days after the controversy broke out, Woodford County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lori Jones confirmed that Laures has been placed on suspension without pay, pending investigation. That investigation is being carried out by the Warren County Public Schools police force in conjunction with local and federal law enforcement.
Users celebrated her suspension, with some wondering why the Kentucky teacher was not fired.
“She’s a danger to every child out there, ” one user commented. Another one wrote, “It’s so weird that these people cannot keep their dark thoughts to themselves.” A third one added, “These people do not need to be around the kids.”
