A Florida hospital has dismissed a labor and delivery nurse, Lexie Lawler, after she posted a controversial TikTok video wishing a severe childbirth injury upon Karoline Leavitt, the pregnant White House press secretary. The video, which went viral and sparked significant backlash on social media, included explicit language as Lawler expressed her desire for Leavitt to experience a “fourth-degree tear” during childbirth.
The incident drew attention from supporters of former President Donald Trump, who demanded Lawler’s termination from Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, where she worked. In response, the hospital’s spokesperson confirmed her dismissal, stating that Lawler’s comments did not align with the values and standards expected of healthcare professionals. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of compassionate and unbiased care in the medical field.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer also condemned Lawler’s remarks, asserting that such comments have no place in medicine or the community. In light of her termination, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Lawler’s legal defense, aiming to raise $14,000 for employment and civil rights counsel. The fundraiser describes Lawler as a liberal who expressed her views on personal time and argues that her termination was a response to backlash from the political right.
In a subsequent video, Lawler addressed her critics by referencing a unrelated violent incident in Minnesota while defending her use of harsh language. She expressed frustration over the focus on her remarks, positioning herself as a defender of free speech in the face of what she described as retaliation.
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding free expression, particularly in the context of social media, where personal opinions can quickly become polarizing and lead to significant consequences in one’s professional life. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges healthcare professionals may face when navigating personal beliefs and public discourse.