Jane Fonda ‘calls out Donald Trump’ during SAG award speech

Jane Fonda has long been associated with political controversy throughout her extensive career. Infamously labeled “Hanoi Jane” after a 1972 photograph of her on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, she has certainly faced significant public criticism. Her involvement in contentious issues dates back to the 1960s, when she openly supported the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panthers, drawing ire from various segments of society.

Recently, Fonda received the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) Life Achievement Award, during which she took the opportunity to subtly criticize President Donald Trump.

Given the current tense political atmosphere in the United States, it is not surprising that many prominent celebrities are voicing their opinions.

At 87 years old, Fonda found the SAG Awards to be an ideal occasion to express her views.

“Thank you SAG AFTRA. Your enthusiasm makes this seem less like a late twilight of my life, and more like a go girl, kick a**. Which is good because I’m not done,” Fonda remarked.

While she did not explicitly mention President Trump, she alluded to Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of him in the upcoming 2024 series, The Apprentice.

“Though you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person you’re playing,” she stated.

Fonda went on to advocate for ‘wokeness,’ asserting, “Empathy is not weak or ‘woke.’ And, by the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people.”

She concluded with a warning about the challenges ahead, saying, “A whole lot of people are going to be hurt by what’s happening, by what’s coming our way. We are going to need a big tent to resist what’s coming at us.”
It is essential to extend our empathy to individuals of differing political beliefs, refraining from judgment and instead choosing to listen with open hearts, thereby inviting them into our collective space. A broad coalition will be necessary to effectively confront the challenges that lie ahead.

Fonda’s remarks arise during a period of significant upheaval in U.S. politics. While many expected that Trump’s second term would usher in disorder, few could have foreseen the rapidity with which the situation has escalated.

In the wake of numerous executive orders and his characteristically loud assertions—many of which lack a solid foundation in reality—Trump has swiftly moved to implement extensive changes, whether beneficial or detrimental.

Particular scrutiny has been directed at his newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, while Trump’s apparent alignment with authoritarian leader Vladimir Putin in efforts to negotiate a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine has raised alarms on the global front.

What are your thoughts on Jane Fonda’s statement? We invite you to share your opinions in the comments.