Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his bid for reelection with a 12-second Instagram video showing him dancing on a rooftop to Kiesza’s “Hideaway,” surrounded by a group of young people, one wearing a shirt reading “I [heart] DEI.” The caption read, “POV: News just dropped that Mayor Brandon Johnson is running for re-election!”
The video, which shows the 50-year-old mayor in a gray business suit, drew widespread mockery in the comments section. One user wrote, “No solidified plan, just dancing.” Another commented, “This video is just another reason as to why he’s NOT getting our votes.” A third simply asked, “Is this a joke?”
The clip echoes a similar moment from Johnson’s predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, who was filmed dancing in city streets to a drumline during her own 2023 reelection campaign.
Crime and Approval Numbers
Johnson’s campaign rollout comes as his administration faces scrutiny over its record. According to Chicago Police statistics, overall crime rose 27% through 2025 compared with the previous four years. The city has also seen a rise in antisemitic hate crimes, with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations reporting a 58% increase in incidents against the Jewish community from 2023 to 2024.
Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, have called on Johnson to create an antisemitism task force. No such task force has been established, though the city has formed others, including the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women, the Reparations Task Force, and the Task Force on Black Immigrants.
A recent University of Chicago survey found just 13.6% of likely voters want Johnson to run for reelection.
Past Controversial Remarks
Johnson has faced criticism for several public statements during his tenure. Before taking office, he warned against
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