Jane Fonda under fire after suggesting 'murder' could combat new abortion laws on live TV
Jane Fonda has been hit with a backlash after she suggested that 'murder' could combat anti-abortion laws being brought in across the US.
Fonda was appearing on the daytime talk show The View on Friday, when she made the controversial remarks.
Originally appearing to promote her new movie Moving On with co-star and longtime friend Lily Tomlin, the conversation soon turned to politics.
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Co-host and moderator Joy Behar mentioned that Walgreens would no longer be stocking abortion pills, prompting Fonda to let loose with her opinions.
The 85-year-old actress and activist said: "We have experienced many decades now of having agency over our body, of being able to determine when and how many children to have.
"We know what that feels like, we know what that’s done for our lives.
"We’re not going back. I don’t care what the laws are! We’re not going back."
The audience broke out into a round of applaud for the outspoken actress, but Behar pressed her further.
She said: "Besides marching and protesting, what else do you suggest?"
"Well, I’ve thought of murder," Fonda quipped, before repeating "Murder" when Tomlin asked what she'd said.
Behar could be seen scrambling to cover for her guest, as she told the viewers: "She’s just kidding … They’ll pick up on that and just run with it. She’s just kidding."
Fonda didn't confirm whether or not she was joking and the segment was moved on by co-host Sunny Hostin who went on to praise Fonda for her environmental activism.
Fonda's remarks didn't go down well with many people and the Grace & Frankie star was hit with a huge backlash online.
Politicians such as Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Fonda was calling for anti-abortion advocates to be 'assassinated'.
The Republican politician fumed: "I routinely get death threats because of the nasty women on The View and the things they say about me.
"But calling for us to be assassinated makes The View, the hosts, the producers, the network, the advertisers, and everyone involved responsible for death threats, attacks, and potential murders of pro-life politicians and activists. I am reporting this."
Fonda has since clarified that her remarks were meant in jest.
In a statement, she said: "While women’s reproductive rights are a very serious issue and extremely important to me, my comment on The View was obviously made in jest.
"My body language and tone made it clear to those in the room—and to anyone watching—that I was using hyperbole to make a point.
"Women across the country are facing real threats when it comes to our bodies, and people lose faith in our mission to protect women when others choose to focus on tangential issues and passing jokes instead of the actual problem at hand."
Ben Thompson