Hollywood legend Jane Fonda took the stage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday to accept a prestigious Life Achievement Award, using her speech to passionately defend the concept of being “woke” and call for unity in the face of growing political tensions under President Trump’s administration.
At 87, Fonda reflected on her decades-long acting career, recalling how women were once expected to suppress their anger in Hollywood and beyond. But rather than looking back nostalgically, she focused on the current moment, stressing the power of empathy and the responsibility of artists to foster it.
During her speech, Fonda directly challenged the growing attacks on the term “woke,” particularly from Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to eradicate it from American culture.
“While you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person you’re playing, right?” Fonda told the audience, addressing the complexity of portraying difficult roles.
She then turned her attention to The Apprentice, a film that chronicles Trump’s rise to power, singling out actor Sebastian Stan for his portrayal of the former president.
“I’m thinking Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice,” she said, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Then came her pointed defense:
“Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. And by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”
Her remark was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience, as fellow actors and industry figures cheered her on.
Although she never mentioned him by name, Fonda’s speech was an unmistakable rebuke of Trump’s latest actions targeting the arts.
Just days prior, Trump made an unprecedented move by declaring himself chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a position traditionally held by a neutral appointee. When questioned about his decision, he told reporters that he took control of the center because he disapproved of its programming.
“It’s not going to be woke,” Trump declared. “No more woke in this country.”
His remarks drew backlash from many in the entertainment industry, who viewed them as yet another attempt to impose political control over cultural institutions. Fonda, long known for her activism, used her moment on stage to push back against the narrative that “woke” is a negative term.
Beyond defending the word itself, Fonda made a broader appeal for solidarity in the face of what she described as a dangerous political climate.
“A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way,” she warned.
She then urged her colleagues in Hollywood to set aside political divisions and embrace empathy, even for those who may not share their views.
“And even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts and welcome them into our tent,” she said. “Because we are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what’s coming at us.”
Her words were a clear message that the fight ahead would require unity, not just within the entertainment industry but across American society.
Fonda’s SAG Awards speech was in many ways a continuation of her lifelong commitment to activism. From her protests against the Vietnam War in the 1970s to her more recent work advocating for climate change awareness and social justice, she has never shied away from using her platform to speak out.
In recent years, she has been particularly vocal in resisting Trump’s policies, often participating in demonstrations and calling for action on issues ranging from women’s rights to government accountability. Her latest remarks reaffirmed her stance as an artist unafraid to challenge those in power.
As she left the stage, the crowd erupted in applause, signaling that her message had resonated deeply. At a time when the term “woke” is being used as a political weapon, Fonda made it clear: caring about others isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s something to defend.
