Francesca Hong’s Comments on Thanksgiving and Political Views

Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist and frontrunner in the polls for Wisconsin governor, generated controversy following remarks about Thanksgiving during a CNN interview. In the program ‘The Source with Kaitlan Collins,’ Hong answered questions about her previous social media post urging Americans not to celebrate the holiday.

When asked by Collins if she still believed Thanksgiving should be canceled, Hong, who started with a background in hospitality, expanded on her views. ‘I’m a chef, and one of my first community meals at 16 was a Thanksgiving dinner,’ Hong noted. She emphasized the importance of building community by bringing people together.

However, she acknowledged the holiday’s complexity, stating, ‘Thanksgiving is also painful for many people in our communities. There are multiple views, and viewpoints can change.’ She added that her experience as a chef aiding conversations could help her as a governor to connect with more people.

A deleted 2020 post by Hong drew criticism for comparing the COVID-19 pandemic with Thanksgiving, referring to it as a colonialism celebration and labeling it the ‘original superspreader event’ that harmed Indigenous people. The post was highlighted by Fox News Digital.

In response to the backlash, Hong’s campaign clarified she does not seek to cancel Thanksgiving. Still, conservatives mocked her statements on social media, describing them as unintelligible.

This is not the first instance of her controversial social media expressions. A 2019 resurfaced post described her experiencing anxiety while dining out with her son.

Backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, Hong is a strong contender in the Democratic primary. Prominent progressives, such as Hasan Piker, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Rep. Ro Khanna, support her. She shares similar policy views with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.