During the Vietnam War, renowned actress Jane Fonda embarked on a journey to Asia, where she found herself photographed alongside individuals considered adversaries of the United States. These images triggered a wave of criticism and controversy. Fonda has since clarified that her intentions with these decades-old photos were not malicious.
However, her reputation took a severe hit, with many interpreting her protest against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War as an act of treason against the government. Although no formal charges were ever filed against Fonda in connection with the controversial images, a former advisor to President Trump recently resurrected her contentious past during a Fox News segment, accusing the veteran actress of committing “treason” when she posed for these pictures back in 1972.
In a recent Fox News interview, Stephen Miller, a former senior advisor to President Trump, generated controversy through his comments regarding Fonda. During his appearance on the conservative news and entertainment network, Miller adopted a firm position, alleging that the two-time Academy Award-winning actress had engaged in acts tantamount to high treason. His allegations were rooted in Fonda’s 1972 visit to Vietnam, during which she participated in a Vietnamese radio program condemning American involvement in the Asian conflict. One specific photograph from her time in Vietnam captured Fonda atop an anti-aircraft gun, a weapon capable of potentially targeting American pilots and aircraft within Vietnamese airspace.
Fonda has recently reemerged in the public eye due to her activism work. Throughout President Trump’s term in office, she organized protests in Washington and was arrested on at least one occasion. Presently, she is advocating for President Joe Biden to halt the implementation of Trump’s pipeline plans that were put in place during his presidency. Miller is now turning to Fox News as a platform to counter Fonda’s efforts and to defend the Trump-era pipeline against cancellation by the Biden administration.
Addressing Fonda’s actions during the Vietnam War, Miller contended, “Regarding her involvement in the Vietnam War…this might have faded from memory. She willingly aligned herself with North Vietnamese Communist propaganda efforts, participating in broadcasts on their radio station.” He continued by stating, “She was photographed atop their anti-aircraft weaponry, which was designed for downing American planes and harming American airmen. By any standard, and I emphasize the term, her actions amounted to treason. Yet, she was celebrated as a hero?” It’s worth noting that Fonda had previously issued an apology to American veterans for the contentious “Hanoi Jane” photograph, though she did not express remorse for her anti-war activism.
In 1988, she expressed, “My intention was to contribute to ending the violence and the war, but I admit there were moments of thoughtlessness and carelessness, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.”
In a more recent context, Fonda voiced her disapproval of President Biden’s perceived lack of urgency in promptly and effectively stopping the Trump-era pipeline. She argued that Biden had not implemented “sufficient” measures to mitigate the environmental ramifications associated with the pipeline.
While expressing her concerns, Fonda said, “We are very, very grateful for what he’s been doing. He’s done many good things. But it’s not enough. Not bold enough. And not fast enough. We’re running out of time. Scientists tell us we have less than nine years to halve our emissions. Line 3 is heading in the opposite direction, and every day brings news of rising emissions, not declining.” She added, “So we must put our bodies on the line and do whatever it takes to persuade our administration to halt these permits.”
The question of whether Fonda’s actions constituted treason continues to be a matter of debate.