Francesca Hong Backlash

A Wisconsin socialist faces criticism from Democrats and conservatives over a Thanksgiving post.

•Leans Right

Watch This Rising Dem Star Collapse When Asked if She's Pro-Thanksgiving - Her Answer Makes Kamala Look Like a Genius

Opinion | ‘The 1621 Project’

We Can See Why Democrats Didn't Want Francesca Hong to Be Their Nominee

Summary

A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

Wisconsin state Assembly member Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate for governor, declined in a CNN interview to answer yes or no when asked whether she still stood by a 2020 post calling to “cancel Thanksgiving.” The deleted post said Thanksgiving celebrates colonialism and compared the COVID-19 pandemic to diseases transmitted from settlers to Indigenous populations. Hong also faced renewed scrutiny over earlier remarks about “proximity to whiteness,” including comments about her biracial son, who is half-white and half-Korean.

The Coverage

How outlets are covering this story: how much of the coverage argues a viewpoint, and the angles that emerged — built only from the analysis and opinion pieces, never from straight reporting. Each dot is one article, placed by its outlet's bias — left to right. How to read our graphics →

Mostly opinion

Coverage Angles

Democratic liabilityBalanced

Candidates associated with DSA-style democratic socialism are politically risky because unpopular radical positions make them easy targets. Democrats and left-wing candidates should choose pragmatic politics and clearly reject slogans or ideas that alienate voters.

Far-left worldviewLeans Right

Francesca Hong’s resurfaced posts and recent answers reveal a far-left worldview that is hostile to mainstream American traditions and obsessed with ideological culture-war fights. Her record, from anti-Thanksgiving rhetoric to other radical slogans, shows she is too extreme and unfit for higher office.