Wisconsin state assemblywoman and Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong appeared on CNN Monday to explain her past social media post calling for Americans to "Cancel Thanksgiving" — and delivered a three-minute answer about her hospitality background, bringing people to the table, and the importance of conversation that did not contain the words "yes" or "no" even once.
The post in question — "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621" — was accompanied by Hong's observation that a worldwide pandemic was perhaps the ideal opportunity to stop "celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx and women." The term "folx," for those unfamiliar, is used to signal inclusive awareness of marginalized communities, including the Pilgrims' descendants, who are presumably grateful for the clarification. When CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins asked Hong directly, "Do you still believe that Thanksgiving should be canceled?", the 37-year-old chef-turned-politician launched into a moving account of making her first Thanksgiving meal for the community at age 16, the importance of her restaurant background, and her belief that bringing folks around the table to share conversation is always a good thing.
"Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621. 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, so be it." — Francesca Hong, past social media post
Hong's campaign subsequently issued a statement clarifying that "No, she does not want to 'cancel' Thanksgiving" — a clarification that raises the natural follow-up question of what, precisely, she did mean when she wrote "Cancel Thanksgiving" in large text and followed it with a declaration that a global pandemic was the appropriate moment to stop celebrating the holiday. The campaign did not address this question. Hong herself suggested that "views can evolve," which is a constructive observation that will doubtless be of great comfort to the roughly 50 million Americans who make turkey every November and had not previously considered themselves participants in colonialism's superspreader event.
Hong is currently the frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Wisconsin, a genuine swing state that Donald Trump carried in 2024. She has received endorsements from Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, and shares policy positions with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Her campaign platform includes universal healthcare, free public college, and, apparently, a nuanced and evolving perspective on a federal holiday celebrated by 95% of Americans. Wisconsin Republican operatives have reportedly begun printing yard signs.
Wisconsin has been a presidential battleground state for decades and was won by Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2024. The governor's race in 2026 is considered competitive, with incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Hong, a 37-year-old former restaurant owner who was elected to the state assembly in 2020, has led Democratic primary polling but faces questions about general election viability in a state where cultural positioning matters considerably. She has not clarified whether stuffing is also a form of colonialism.
Francesca Hong does not want to cancel Thanksgiving. She just wrote "Cancel Thanksgiving" on the internet and explained that not canceling it would require a worldwide pandemic. Her campaign would like you to understand these two positions are entirely consistent, that views can evolve, and that her background as a chef uniquely positions her to bring people to the table — preferably on the fourth Thursday of November, surrounded by food she now definitely does not want to cancel. Wisconsin voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on this nuanced policy position in November.