Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in June 2021.
Revisiting a Controversial Past
Former Trump aide Stephen Miller reignited controversy surrounding Jane Fonda during a heated appearance on Fox News. He labeled her Vietnam War-era protests as acts of tr.ea.son that, in his words, “should not be forgotten.”
Now 83, Fonda has recently made headlines for opposing the Keystone pipeline. But Miller focused instead on her 1972 trip to North Vietnam, where she publicly condemned the U.S. military.
The ‘Hanoi Jane’ Legacy
Miller sharply criticized Fonda’s presence on North Vietnamese radio, her photo beside an anti-aircraft g*n, and her symbolic act of wearing a soldier’s helmet. He claimed these actions directly supported Communist propaganda during wartime.
“Should someone who collaborated with the en.emy still be celebrated as a hero?” Miller asked viewers, pointing to the enduring nickname “Hanoi Jane,” which still stirs anger among U.S. veterans.
Jane Fonda smiling while raising her fist, Photo Credit: janefonda/Instagram
Ties to Current Protests
Miller linked Fonda’s anti-Vietnam activism to her modern environmental campaigns, particularly her opposition to pipelines launched under Trump. He argued that her past undermines her credibility as a current activist.
While Fonda has publicly expressed regret over the infamous photograph in Hanoi, Miller questioned her sincerity. He claimed her apology was selective and failed to address the full extent of her actions.
Fonda’s Ongoing Activism
A lifelong activist, Fonda continues to speak out. Most recently, she criticized President Biden for not doing more to halt pipeline expansion. This week, Biden revoked a key permit for the Keystone pipeline—something Fonda publicly celebrated.
The Debate Continues
The Fox News segment has reignited public debate over Fonda’s legacy. Miller’s remarks echo long-standing frustrations from some veterans who see her Vietnam-era actions as unforgivable.
As Fonda remains active on the front lines of protest, questions linger: Can past mistakes be reconciled with present-day activism? Or does her controversial history continue to cast a shadow?
