BS BULLETIN:
- Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong is facing renewed scrutiny after CNN pressed her on a resurfaced 2020 social media post calling to “Cancel Thanksgiving.” Hong did not directly repudiate the old post during the interview, saying instead that Thanksgiving is “incredibly painful” for many people while also emphasizing its role in bringing people together.
- Hong’s campaign later clarified that she does not want to cancel Thanksgiving, despite the viral controversy surrounding the deleted post.
CNN ASKS SOCIALIST CANDIDATE IF SHE STILL WANTS TO “CANCEL THANKSGIVING”
Collins: Do you still believe that Thanksgiving should be canceled?
Hong: I’m a chef, and one of the first meals that I made was 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.… pic.twitter.com/Kd5kBZMxZS
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 4, 2026
One of the Democratic Party’s fastest-rising progressive stars found herself answering for a six-year-old social media post Monday night—and her response is generating almost as much attention as the original tweet.
Appearing on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong was asked directly about a deleted 2020 post in which she wrote:
“Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621.”
The post went on to argue that Americans should “stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx and women,” referencing the historical spread of disease among Native American populations.
Collins posed the question many voters were likely wondering: “Do you still believe that Thanksgiving should be canceled?”
Hong did not answer with a simple yes or no. Instead, she spoke about her background as a chef.
“I’m a chef, and one of the first meals that I made that was for the community when I was 16 years old was a Thanksgiving meal,” Hong said. “I always think my hospitality background… bringing folks around the table to share conversation and build community is always a good thing.”
She then added: “But Thanksgiving is also a time that’s incredibly painful for many people in our communities.”
Hong concluded by saying that “views can evolve” and argued that her experience in the restaurant business would help her “bring more people to the table” as governor.
Notably, Hong never explicitly said she no longer agreed with the original “Cancel Thanksgiving” post.
After the interview, however, her campaign sought to clarify her position. In a statement to Fox News Digital, campaign officials said plainly:
“No, she does not want to ‘cancel’ Thanksgiving.”
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment.
Hong, a Madison state representative endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has emerged as the leading candidate in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary following the withdrawal of former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes earlier this summer. She has also received support from progressive figures including Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Ro Khanna and political streamer Hasan Piker.
The Thanksgiving post is not the only old social media comment drawing renewed attention.
Recent reports have highlighted other posts criticizing or questioning several traditional American holidays, including Independence Day, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, while conservatives have also resurfaced earlier comments on policing and other progressive issues. The interview quickly became a talking point on social media.
This wasn’t a complicated question.
“Do you still think Thanksgiving should be canceled?”
Most politicians would answer that in about four words. Instead, viewers got a discussion about being a chef, hospitality, bringing people together, painful experiences, evolving views and community conversations.
Maybe that’s exactly what Hong believes. Maybe it wasn’t.
The problem in politics is that if people are still trying to figure out your answer after the interview ends, you probably didn’t give one.
Thanksgiving isn’t just another federal holiday.
For tens of millions of Americans, it’s one of the few days each year when families—despite politics, despite disagreements, despite all the craziness of modern life—sit around the same table.
Can the history behind Thanksgiving be discussed honestly? Absolutely.
Should Americans understand the complicated relationship between European settlers and Native peoples? Without question.
But most Americans don’t gather around a turkey because they’re celebrating 17th-century colonial policy.
They gather because it’s one of the last traditions that still brings multiple generations into the same room.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News: Socialist Francesca Hong struggles to explain call to ‘Cancel Thanksgiving’ as post resurfaces
- New York Post: Socialist Dem Gov. frontrunner gives stunning response when asked if she still wants to ‘cancel Thanksgiving’
- New York Post: Socialist Wisconsin Dem Francesca Hong in hot seat after ‘Cancel Thanksgiving’ post emerges online
- CNN: The Source with Kaitlan Collins (Interview with Francesca Hong, Aug. 3, 2026).
