Topline
Francesca Hong, the frontrunner for the Democratic information successful the Wisconsin politician race, sparked a societal media firestorm and backlash from immoderate Democrats and correct helping critics aft she appeared to take sides a telephone she made successful 2020 to “cancel Thanksgiving.”
Francesca Hong is the frontrunner for the Democratic Party's information for politician of Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for WisDems)
Getty Images for WisDems
Key Facts
Hong, successful a now-deleted station connected what was past Twitter successful 2020, made a telephone to “cancel Thanksgiving" because she said it celebrates colonialism, comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to diseases passed from settlers to Indigenous populations.
In a CNN interview connected Monday, big Kaitlan Collins asked Hong if she stood by the post, to which Hong did not reply yes aliases no, but alternatively gave a lengthy reply saying “views tin evolve” while noting her inheritance arsenic a cook and saying Thanksgiving tin beryllium “incredibly achy for galore group successful our communities.”
Hong’s reply sparked swift backlash—even from immoderate Democrats, including erstwhile Obama advisor David Axelrod, who said “answers for illustration these” origin “many to deliberation if this cook wins the gubernatorial superior successful WI, Ds whitethorn beryllium cooked.”
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., defended Thanksgiving arsenic an “all-American holiday” successful a station connected X, joking it is only “painful” for “Cowboys fans who usually person to strengthen watching their squad suffer connected this day.”
Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., who is moving successful the Republican superior successful Wisconsin’s politician race, heaped criticism connected Hong connected Tuesday, saying he “won’t cancel Thanksgiving arsenic governor” while accusing her of wanting to “destroy the traditions and civilization that merge us.”
Hong’s question and reply answer went wide viral connected X connected Tuesday, pinch 1 upload of the question and reply clip garnering astir 8 cardinal views.
Read Francesca Hong’s Full Answer About Her ‘Cancel Thanksgiving’ Post
“I’m a chef, and 1 of the first meals that I made that was for the organization erstwhile I was 16 was a Thanksgiving meal. I ever deliberation my hospitality inheritance and owning a edifice for seven, 8 years that bringing folks astir the array to stock speech and build organization is ever a bully thing. But Thanksgiving is besides a clip that’s incredibly achy for galore group successful our communities, and truthful I deliberation location I wanted to make judge that group understood that location are aggregate views, but views tin evolve, and the position that I’m moving for correct now, and I deliberation my inheritance arsenic a cook will really thief maine go a amended politician that’s capable to bring much group to the table.”
What Did Hong’s Thanksgiving Tweet Say?
Hong’s station astir Thanksgiving, which is now deleted, said: “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should person done this successful 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for america to recognize we should extremity celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader arena that killed Indigenous folx and women truthful beryllium it.”
tangent
Hong was besides asked astir different societal media posts successful an quality connected “Pod Save America” connected Tuesday. Host Jon Favreau asked Hong astir posts successful which she called for the abolition of the constabulary and said “police beryllium to uphold achromatic supremacy,” to which Hong said she does not scheme to prosecute abolishing the police. “My views person only go stronger successful that I’m superior astir nationalist safety,” Hong said, saying she wants to “focus connected stopping convulsive crime and giving rule enforcement the resources and training they need, but guarantee we are besides holding accountable rule enforcement that does not travel the law.” Favreau asked Hong whether she still believes constabulary beryllium to uphold achromatic supremacy, and Hong said, “No.”
what to watch for
The superior predetermination successful Wisconsin’s politician title will return spot Aug. 11. Hong is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, according to caller polls. A Marquette University poll published past week recovered Hong—a personnel of the Democratic Socialists of America—had 38% support, 22 percent points supra erstwhile lieutenant politician Mandela Barnes, who placed 2nd successful the canvass but has since dropped retired of the race. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who remains successful the race, had 7% support successful the poll.
further reading
Hong leads Democratic superior for politician erstwhile again successful caller Marquette poll (Wisconsin Public Radio)
Democratic candidates grapple pinch past stances connected defunding the constabulary up of cardinal midterm races (AP)
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