Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, faced renewed scrutiny after conservative media outlets highlighted a years-old social media post calling to “cancel Thanksgiving.”
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins posed what seemed like an easy question on Monday night, but Francesca Hong gave a rambling 46-second response touching on her professional restaurant experience, her claim that Thanksgiving is “incredibly painful” for many Americans, and her views on the holiday can “evolve,” without giving an actual “yes” or “no” answer.
Hong, 37, a state assemblywoman hailing from Madison, responded to the direct question by pivoting to her background.
“I’m a chef, and one of the first meals that I made for the community when I was 16 was a Thanksgiving meal. But Thanksgiving is also a time that’s incredibly painful for many people in our communities,” Hong said.
She continued without directly addressing whether she still held the position from her deleted post.
“And so I think there, I wanted to make sure that people understood that there are multiple views, but views can evolve.”
Hong then shifted to her gubernatorial campaign message instead of answering the core question posed by Collins.
“And the position that I’m running for right now, and I think my background as a chef will actually help me become a better governor that’s able to bring more people to the table,” Hong concluded.
The interview ended without Collins pressing further, leaving the substance of her answer unresolved online.
In a statement to Fox News Digital after the interview, Hong’s campaign said, “No, she does not want to ‘cancel’ Thanksgiving.”
That statement stood in stark contrast to what aired on television moments earlier.
“[W]ord salad that would make Kamala [Harris] envious,” Libs of TikTok, an online account, wrote in response.
Hong, a Democratic Socialist representing Madison in the Wisconsin Assembly, has gained momentum in the race, with recent polling placing her near the top of the Democratic field ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
Her rise follows a significant shakeup in the Democratic race.
The race was shaken up when Mandela Barnes, the state’s former lieutenant governor, dropped out of the race.
Barnes was considered a frontrunner because of his proximity to outgoing Gov. Tony Evers and his name recognition.
In the viral moment that prompted Collins’ question, Hong wrote in a November 2020 social media post, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621,” continuing, “If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx” and women.
The post has since been deleted but resurfaced as her gubernatorial campaign has gained national attention.
Conservative podcaster Stephen Miller flagged the post, quoting a single word back at her. “‘Folx,'” Miller posted on X, noting the term used to signal inclusivity of LGBTQ and other groups.
Another widely shared account said Hong is all but certain to be the Democratic nominee for governor of Wisconsin and wanted to “Cancel Thanksgiving,” according to a since-deleted tweet, questioning what is going on in Wisconsin.
A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, she has campaigned on expanding public education funding, universal child care and other progressive priorities, while Republicans have sought to portray her as too radical for elected office.
Recent polling has placed her near the top of the Democratic field ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.