Francesca Hong, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in Wisconsin and a candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has come under scrutiny following the resurfacing of a now-deleted social media post in which she called to "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621."

In the November 2020 post on X, Hong argued that Americans should stop celebrating Thanksgiving, describing it as a celebration of colonialism and referring to it as "the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx and women," alluding to the spread of smallpox that devastated indigenous populations.

Hong's progressive stance has drawn mockery online, including from conservative podcaster Stephen Miller, who highlighted her use of the term "folx," noting its intent to signal inclusivity of LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups.

Additionally, Hong faced criticism for a resurfaced 2019 post where she shared a personal anecdote about eating two bites of her child's cheeseburger at a Culver's in Black River Falls and telling him they ran out of ice cream, citing anxiety triggered by interactions with older white people who doubted her English proficiency.

Despite the controversy, Hong has gained significant support in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race and has raised nearly $709,000 as of late June 2026, according to state records.

Hong spoke at the Wisconsin Democrats 2026 Convention on June 14, 2026, in Madison, further solidifying her position as a frontrunner.

Sources