Jane Fonda has never shied away from political controversy throughout her long and eventful career. Dubbed “Hanoi Jane” after a widely criticized 1972 photo showed her sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, she’s certainly faced her fair share of public backlash.
Even in the 1960s, Fonda was a polarizing figure, openly supporting the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panthers—stances that didn’t sit well with certain parts of society.
This past weekend, she received the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) Life Achievement Award and took the opportunity to subtly criticize President Donald Trump during her acceptance speech.
Given the tense political atmosphere in the U.S., it’s no surprise that many high-profile celebrities are using their platforms to speak out.
For 87-year-old Fonda, Sunday’s SAG Awards served as an ideal moment to make a statement.
“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 said.
While she didn’t call out Trump by name, she did allude to Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of him in 2024’s The Apprentice.
Jane Fonda’s speech
“Though you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person you’re playing,” she said.
She then took a moment to defend the concept of ‘wokeness,’ making it clear that caring about others should not be seen as a flaw.
“Empathy is not weak or ‘woke.’ And, by the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people.”
Fonda also expressed concern about the challenges ahead, warning that many people would be affected by the changes taking place.
“A whole lot of people are going to be hurt by what’s happening, by what’s coming our way,” she continued. “‘We are going to need a big tent to resist what’s coming at us.”
“Empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people”
—Jane Fonda accepting her SAG Lifetime Achievement Award
See the full winners list: https://t.co/1H9Qsgq4hw pic.twitter.com/MzhLgEjdT5
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 24, 2025
She stressed the need for unity, encouraging people to set aside political differences and approach others with empathy.
“And even if they are of a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts, and welcome them into our tent. Because we are gonna need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming at us.”
Fonda’s remarks come at a time of significant upheaval in U.S. politics. While many expected Trump’s second term to bring instability, the speed at which major shifts have occurred has surprised even his critics.
From a series of executive orders to bold declarations—some of which have been met with skepticism—Trump has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes.
One of the most controversial moves has been the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, now led by Elon Musk, which has faced growing backlash. Meanwhile, Trump’s apparent willingness to align with Vladimir Putin in an effort to broker peace in Ukraine has sparked alarm on the global stage.
What are your thoughts on Jane Fonda’s speech? Share your opinion in the comments!