Another Democrat wishes Trump were dead. Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, the leading candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, is facing criticism after saying it was “about fucking time we 86 Trump,” invoking a phrase that has previously generated controversy when used by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former FBI Director James Comey.
In a video circulating online, Hong connected the expression to her background in the restaurant business.
HOLY CRAP
Francesca Hong appeared to call to ass*ssinate Trump
“It’s about f***ing time we 86 Trump” pic.twitter.com/HaWElqTQU4
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 4, 2026
“In the restaurant industry, when we’re out of something, we say it’s 86’d. And I’d say it’s about fucking time we 86 Trump,” Hong said.
Hong is a former chef and restaurant owner who continues to work occasional shifts in Madison. In restaurants and bars, “86” commonly means that an item is no longer available or that a customer should be refused service or removed from an establishment. Merriam-Webster defines the verb as refusing to serve someone or getting rid of or throwing out a person or thing.
Critics nevertheless interpreted Hong’s remark as potentially calling for President Donald Trump’s elimination or death. Libs of TikTok, the conservative social media account that helped amplify the video, described the statement as an apparent assassination reference.
The competing interpretations reflect a dispute that has surfaced repeatedly in American politics. Supporters of those using the phrase generally describe “86” as slang for removing someone from office or rejecting that person politically. Critics argue that pairing the term with a president’s name or presidential number can carry a more threatening implication, particularly after two attempts were made on Trump’s life during the 2024 campaign.
New Conservative Post previously covered a similar controversy involving Comey. In May 2025, the former FBI director posted a photograph of seashells arranged to read “86 47,” an apparent reference to Trump’s status as the 47th president. Comey captioned the photograph, “Cool Shell formation on my beach walk 2 hours ago.”
Comey removed the post after Trump supporters accused him of promoting violence. He said he had assumed the shells conveyed a political message and did not know that some people associated the numbers with an assassination threat. The Secret Service subsequently questioned him as part of its investigation.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced a comparable controversy in October 2020, when she appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with a small “86 45” pin visible on a table behind her. The number 45 referred to Trump’s first term as president. Republicans accused Whitmer of displaying a threatening message, while her defenders said it merely meant removing Trump from office in the approaching election.
The controversy arrives at a consequential moment in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race. Hong, 37, has emerged as the clear Democratic frontrunner ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. A recent State Navigate survey placed her at 44 percent, compared with 15 percent for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes withdrew from the contest after acknowledging that he no longer saw a viable path to the nomination.
Her rise has also brought renewed scrutiny of her earlier statements. In a 2020 social media post, Hong wrote, “I support defunding the police as a first step towards abolishing the police.” She has since distanced herself from that position and said she would not seek to defund police as governor.
The Democratic nominee is expected to face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has Trump’s endorsement and only nominal opposition in the Republican primary. Wisconsin remains one of the country’s most closely divided states, with Trump carrying it in both 2016 and 2024.
