Right-wing critics say Hong wore a '666' hat. She says they're 'Gs' her son scribbled
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One of the early Democratic frontrunners in the race for Wisconsin governor is pushing back against claims she recently wore a satanic hat.
Right-wing critics have targeted a social media post earlier this week from State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison). In the post, meant to commemorate Earth Day, Hong is wearing a dark green hat with a yellow outline of Wisconsin's borders.
Some conservatives, including prominent talk radio hosts and an advisor to President Donald Trump, maintain handwriting on the hat appears to be a "666," the "number of the beast" in the Book of Revelation.
"The Democrat [sp] frontrunner for Governor in Wisconsin is wearing a '666' hat. Disgraceful," Alex Bruesewitz, an advisor to President Trump, posted to the social media platform, X, Friday. "Every Christian in Wisconsin needs to make sure they get out and vote for [likely GOP candidate Tom Tiffany] this November."
Hong spoke to CBS 58 virtually Friday ahead of a campaign event in Eau Claire. She said her son, George, had inscribed the hat with a marker about five years ago, when he was either 3 or 4 years old.
"When my son was learning how to write his name, he was excited to write the letter 'G,'" Hong said.
Hong said she first became aware of the accusations her hat contained a satanic message Wednesday evening. When asked about the hat Friday, Hong had a staffer go into her Madison home and take better photos of the hat in question.
Hong then texted the hat photos to a CBS 58 reporter. She said the 'Gs' were simply her son's scribbling, and she was proud to wear the hat because it's a reminder of when her child first began to write.
"G for George," Hong said of the hat. "I don't think he was expecting writing on one of my hats would become such a big issue. At the moment, I wasn't thrilled he had written on one of my favorite hats, but no, it is not a '666.' It's 'G.'"
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong says these aren't satanic markings on a hat. Instead, she says it's her son's scribbling.
Hong, who openly runs as a socialist, has been a GOP target over her far-left positions, such as co-sponsoring a bill that would decriminalize prostitution. As the campaign goes on, she'll also face scrutiny over posts made in 2020 and 2021 calling for the City of Madison to defund its police department.
Conservative radio host Vicki McKenna had Tiffany on her show as a guest Friday. While asking Tiffany about the Democratic field, McKenna described Hong as a "lunatic socialist from Madison, who wants hookers and weed and kids groomed, and she walks around in a satan hat."
Tiffany responded by saying he believed Hong was a viable candidate in the Democratic primary.
"There is a real possibility that she is going to become the nominee for them," Tiffany said. "By the way, the most important endorsement that she just received was from one [Congresswoman] Ilhan Omar from Minneapolis, Minnesota."
In the most recent Marquette Law School poll, Hong had the most support in a crowded seven-candidate Democratic field, with 14% saying they were backing her. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes was in second place at 11%.
There was a two-way tie in third place, as both current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were polling at 3%.
However, a lot can change between now and August, as 65% of the Democratics voters to respond said they were still undecided about who they planned to support in the primary.
