Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Jane Fonda

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jane Fonda.

Jane Fonda is a celebrated American actress and activist with a career spanning over six decades. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She has also been recognized with lifetime achievement awards such as the Honorary Palme d'Or, AFI Life Achievement Award, Golden Lion, Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, solidifying her status as a film icon.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1967: NSA Monitoring Begins

In 1967, The United States National Security Agency (NSA) began monitoring Jane Fonda's communications as part of Project MINARET.

November 2, 1970: Arrest at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

On November 2, 1970, Jane Fonda was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on suspicion of drug trafficking after returning from an anti-war speaking tour in Canada. The charges were dropped when the pills were confirmed to be vitamins.

1970: Fonda and Kerry at Anti-War Rally

In 1970, Jane Fonda and John Kerry were present in the same crowd at an anti-war rally, although they were not together on stage.

July 1972: Visit to North Vietnam and Allegations of Dike Bombing

In July 1972, Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam, traveling to Hanoi and claiming that the United States had intentionally targeted the dike system along the Red River.

1973: Lacoste publishes analysis

In 1973, French geographer Yves Lacoste published an analysis which concluded the dike system was intentionally targeted in the eastern region of the delta, with bombs consistently targeting the most vulnerable concave sections, and resulted in critical sub-surface damage which left them vulnerable to failure in subsequent flooding.

1973: Comments on POWs

In 1973, Jane Fonda told The New York Times that while she was sure there were incidents of torture, she believed it was a lie that it was the policy of the Vietnamese and that it was systematic.

1973: NSA Monitoring Ends

In 1973, The United States National Security Agency (NSA) stopped monitoring Jane Fonda's communications as part of Project MINARET.

2004: Fonda's Name Used Against John Kerry

In 2004, Jane Fonda's name was used as a disparaging epithet against John Kerry during the presidential election, with Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie calling Kerry a "Jane Fonda Democrat".

2005: Assault at Book Signing

In 2005, Michael A. Smith spat chewing tobacco in Jane Fonda's face at a book-signing event for her autobiography, My Life So Far in Kansas City, Missouri, because he "consider[ed] it a debt of honor".

My Life So Far

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March 2006: Fonda Cancels Anti-War Bus Tour

In March 2006, Fonda canceled her planned anti-war bus tour due to concerns about diverting attention from Cindy Sheehan's activism.

September 2009: Fonda Protests Toronto Film Festival's Spotlight on Tel Aviv

In September 2009, Jane Fonda was among the signatories of a letter protesting the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival's spotlight on Tel Aviv, arguing that it was part of "the Israeli propaganda machine".

2009: Fonda alleges arrest orders from White House

In 2009, Jane Fonda wrote that she believes the arresting officer told her that he was acting on direct orders from the Nixon White House, hoping the scandal would ruin her respectability.

2013: Revelation of NSA Monitoring

In 2013, it was revealed that Jane Fonda was one of approximately 1,600 Americans whose communications between 1967 and 1973 were monitored by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) as part of Project MINARET.

2015: Fonda Opposes Arctic Drilling

In 2015, Jane Fonda criticized President Barack Obama's decision to permit Arctic drilling at the Sundance Film Festival.

2017: Fonda Criticizes Justin Trudeau on Climate Commitments

In 2017, Jane Fonda criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for allegedly betraying climate commitments and treaties with indigenous people made at the Paris Agreement.

2017: Fonda Criticizes Trump on Pipeline Construction

In 2017, Jane Fonda criticized President Donald Trump's mandate to resume construction of the North Dakota Pipelines, citing the lack of consent from affected Native American tribes.

October 2019: Fonda Arrested at Climate Change Protests

In October 2019, Jane Fonda was arrested multiple times protesting climate change outside the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., including arrests on October 11 with members of Oil Change International, on October 18 with Sam Waterston, and on October 25 with Ted Danson.

2024: "Jane Fonda Day" Controversy

In 2024, the proposal to name April 30 as "Jane Fonda Day" in Los Angeles County for her environmental work was met with backlash because it coincided with Black April, the day Saigon fell. The day was later moved to April 8.