Rep. Hank Johnson faces backlash for anti-Trump Jimi Hendrix parody
Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Georgia, recently faced backlash from conservatives on social media for his rendition of “Hey Joe,” a song made popular by Jimi Hendrix and other artists in the ’60s. In a video posted to X, Johnson admitted that he was just learning to play guitar and was inspired by Black Music Month to provide political commentary through song.
In the video, Johnson sang a parody of the famous song with anti-Trump lyrics, saying, “Hey Trump, where you goin’ with that gun in your hand? I’m goin’ down the street to shoot democracy. You know I wanna be a king someday.” The video quickly garnered over 800 comments, most of which were criticisms from conservatives.
Conservatives on social media criticized Johnson for his performance, with many calling it “tone-deaf messaging” and “hilariously bad.” Some compared Johnson’s rendition to a ground war with Iran, while others mocked his guitar tuning skills and the simplicity of the lyrics.
Despite the criticism, Johnson’s video is just the latest in a trend of Democrats using social media to engage with their audience during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other House Democrats faced backlash for a TikTok video.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that politicians are looking for new ways to connect with voters and share their message. Whether it’s through music, social media, or other creative outlets, politicians are finding unique ways to engage with their audience and spark conversation.
