Democrat gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong responded to the attempted assassination of President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner by posting “The state enacts political violence on its citizens every day”
Francesca Hong, a Democratic state representative from Madison and frontrunner in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial primary, drew criticism Sunday after posting on X that the state enacts “political violence” on citizens every day through policies such as immigration enforcement and the health care system.
Hong addressed a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous night in a thread that began by condemning political violence. She wrote that it “is never the answer” and urged change through organizing and elections.
“The state enacts political violence on its citizens every day,” she added. “We see it when ICE agents occupy our cities and put children in cages. We see it in a healthcare system that lets people die because they can’t afford care.”
The post immediately sparked controversy, as it appears to be a sort of justification of violent resistance to those who commit what Hong terms “political violence” by “the state” by enacting policies with which she disagrees.
Hong, who represents the 76th Assembly District and is running to succeed term-limited Gov. Tony Evers, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and Socialist Caucus in the Assembly. Her post came hours after an armed man was arrested at the White House Correspondents Dinner as he tried to rush through security and attack Trump.
Hong has appeared on the “Up North Podcast,” co-hosted by Kirk Bangstad, the Minocqua Brewing Company owner and liberal activist. Bangstad faced widespread condemnation Saturday for a Facebook post expressing regret that Trump survived the incident and referencing his earlier promise of free beer upon the president’s death.
“Well, we almost got #freebeerday,” Bangstad said. “Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.”
Hong has not clarified her X post or condemned Bangstad’s vile comments.
