Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced a wave of online ridicule after announcing his re-election campaign with a video of himself dancing.
The 50-year-old Democrat posted an Instagram clip set to Kiesza’s “Hideaway,” apparently hoping to connect with younger voters on social media.
Instead, the video’s comment section quickly filled with criticism of Johnson’s record and his political performance during the past four years.
“No solidified plan, just dancing,” one user wrote. Another called the video “cringe” and said Johnson would “absolutely not” receive their vote.
Several commenters also accused the mayor of presiding over rising crime in parts of the Chicago area.
Police statistics show that the Illinois city, home to about 2.7 million residents, recorded a 27 percent increase in overall crime through 2025 compared with the previous four years.
“CTA (Chicago Transport Authority) crime still high percentages,” one commenter wrote beneath Johnson’s Instagram post.
“College students still getting robbed in the city without any help or follow up with CPD (Chicago Police Department).”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been mocked online after posting a dancing video to announce his re-election campaign. The 50-year-old incumbent shared an Instagram clip set to Kiesza’s “Hideaway,” apparently seeking to appeal to younger audiences.
“We got filthy streets and yet unemployment is high. Rent in Chicago is high.”
Another user declared there was “ain’t no way in hell” they would vote for Johnson.
“We had high hopes,” a third Chicago resident wrote.
“Letting ICE, CPD, and GOP run rampant over Chicago is not something we can survive for ANOTHER four years.”
“Spending SO much more for Chicago to be unsafe for Latino/as AND another huge budget deficit are TWO big reasons he’s a NO for my family and neighbors.”
“He has done nothing absolutely nothing about teen takeovers, street takeovers, property taxes, doesn’t know how to manage money properly, going to London and taking half his administration on taxpayers’ dollars,” one Instagram user wrote.
‘No, thank you. Next.’
The 27 percent surge in crime through 2025 compared with the previous four years was driven largely by an increase in motor vehicle thefts, which rose from 10,605 incidents in 2021 to 17,129 last year – a 62 percent increase.
Johnson’s video did not appear to have the desired effect, as the comment section was flooded with criticism of the Democrat’s political performance over the past four years
Misdemeanor thefts were also up 47 percent citywide from 26,757 in 2021 to 39,412 last year, while felony theft incidents rose 32 percent from 14,066 to 18,530.
However, murders were down 48 percent, from 805 homicides recorded in 2021 compared with 416 last year, reflecting a steady decrease year-on-year.
Robberies were also reduced by 26 percent, from 7,920 in 2021 to 5,827 in 2025.
Johnson was supported by the city council’s democratic socialists during his 2023 mayoral run, and during his term as mayor, he appointed democratic socialists to key positions.
However, he has since faced criticism from both moderate and liberal local leaders on issues such as immigration, the local budget and public safety.
His chances of retaining his position as Chicago mayor in the February 2027 election are low – with a recent University of Chicago survey indicating that just 13.6 percent of likely voters want Johnson to run again.
Johnson also faces a crowded field for re-election. He is running against candidates including Chicago Housing Authority CEO Matt Brewer, former Chicago alderman George Cardenas and Illinois secretary of state Alexi Giannoulias.
The incumbent started out as a social studies teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system.
He helped organize the teacher’s strike in 2012 as an active member of the union before entering politics.
