Francesca Hong, the socialist frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin's 2026 gubernatorial race, faced renewed scrutiny over her past comments calling for the cancellation of Thanksgiving. During a recent interview on Monday, Hong was asked by CNN's Kaitlan Collins whether she still supports eliminating the holiday, which she has described as a celebration of colonialism.

Hong acknowledged her history with the holiday but noted that her perspective has evolved. "I’m a chef, and one of the first meals that I made that was for the community when I was 16 was a Thanksgiving meal," she said. She also recognized the holiday's painful associations for many communities, stating, "Thanksgiving is also a time that’s incredibly painful for many people in our communities." Hong added that her background as a chef could help her foster greater inclusivity if elected governor, emphasizing the importance of "bringing more people to the table."

The controversy stems from statements Hong made during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she called for the holiday's abolition, arguing that the United States "should have done this in 1621." At that time, she described Thanksgiving as "celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed Indigenous folx and women," linking the holiday's origins to historical violence against Native American communities.

Beyond Thanksgiving, Hong has publicly questioned several other holidays, including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas. On social media in 2024, she expressed nuanced views on Mother’s Day, acknowledging it can be both a joyous occasion and a difficult time for many. "Today can be a beautiful day of celebration for some, and a difficult or melancholy day for others," she wrote. She encouraged people to be gentle with themselves and kind to others regardless of how they experience such holidays.

Hong’s comments have drawn criticism from some who view efforts to "cancel" traditional holidays as divisive, while her supporters argue that revisiting and reevaluating these celebrations is necessary for a more inclusive understanding of American history. As the Democratic primary in Wisconsin advances, this debate over the role of traditional holidays in public life is likely to remain a point of contention.