Jane Fonda Attracts Republican Criticism Over Pro-Choice Comments on “The View”

Actress Jane Fonda visited ABC’s “The View” today alongside fellow actress Lily Tomlin. Fonda has been an activist throughout her decades long career in entertainment, notably for environmental conservation efforts and gender equality. Naturally, she had a lot to say about the wave of abortion bans that have spread across several states since the June 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.

When asked about what to do about pro-life lawmakers who intend to implement either heavily restrictive or total abortion bans, Fonda jokingly answered “murder.” Tomlin laughed at the comment, clarifying that Fonda meant it as a joke, but Fonda sat there with a deadpan Wednesday Addams-esque expression. This led to plenty of online criticism from right-leaning voters and GOP politicians alike.

Many critics turned back to Fonda’s past, when she visited Vietnam in July of 1972 amid the ongoing Vietnam War. She visited American prisoners of war and Vietnamese civilians, professing her anti-war messaging the entire time. She was infamously photographed laughing next to a gun, which was widely criticized by both sides of the war. In 2011, she released a statement regarding the incident, insisting that the image was not planned and she did not intend to pose in that manner next to a weapon. The incident led to Republicans and their voters nicknaming her “Hanoi Jane.”

Her comments on “The View” today have only further amplified the right’s antagonism of the left in American politics. Today, some demand she be placed on the FBI’s watch list for supposedly inciting violence. Representative Luna of Florida issued a statement on the matter.

Others could sense that Fonda intended to use such extreme wording in order to get her point across. She has long supported anti-war messaging and nonviolent protest, and her fans could understand that she only wanted to continue the fight for reproductive rights that she has been involved in for nearly 50 years.

Others point out the hypocrisy of the Republican lawmakers and conservative media personalities commenting hyperbolically on the situation, since several members of the party have called for violence against LGBTQ+ and non Christian people. Additionally, Republican President Donald Trump still remains at the forefront of discussion regarding his potential role in inciting the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Recently, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy handed over footage of the Capitol Insurrection to Tucker Carlson of Fox News. The footage was edited to appear less menacing than what actually occurred on January 6, with Carlson referring to the rioters inside the halls of congress as “tourists.” One political commentator on Twitter was quick to point out the GOP’s selective fear of violence.

Jane Fonda responded to the right-wing criticism of her comments on “The View”, saying that “My body language and tone made it clear to those in the room—and to anyone watching—that I was using hyperbole to make a point.” Some understood Fonda more after she clarified the intentions of her comments.

Abortion is currently illegal in 12 states. Some have limits, while others have total bans with no exceptions for rape or incest cases. The Idaho House of Representatives has now become the first state to bass a bill also banning out-of-state travel for abortions.

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