Francesca Hong, a Korean American Democrat and self-described democratic socialist, is facing renewed criticism as she leads the Democratic field in Wisconsin’s governor’s race. A deleted 2020 social media post calling to “cancel Thanksgiving” resurfaced days before the state’s Aug. 11 primary.[1][2]
Hong addressed the controversy Monday on CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins.” When asked whether she still believes Thanksgiving should be canceled, the state lawmaker said she made her first dish for her community at age 16 and argued that bringing people together “around a table” can be a good thing.[4] She also said Thanksgiving can be a painful time for many people and added that a person’s views can evolve.[4]
In the original post, Hong wrote, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621,” and described the holiday as a celebration of colonialism and a “superspreader event” that killed Indigenous people and women during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][8] The post drew criticism from conservative commentators and renewed attention because Hong is now considered a front-runner in the crowded Democratic race.[1][2]
Hong’s campaign told Fox News that she does not want to “cancel” Thanksgiving.[1]
