Rep. Hank Johnson's Anti-Trump Guitar Song Sparks Conservative Backlash

Georgia's Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson strummed up a storm of controversy with a guitar performance that took aim at President Donald Trump. In a video posted to X, Johnson, a self-proclaimed novice guitarist, reworked Jimi Hendrix's classic "Hey Joe" into a political jab, singing, "Hey Trump, where you goin' with that gun in your hand? I'm goin' down the street to shoot democracy." The performance, meant to mark Black Music Month, instead sparked a conservative backlash, with critics calling it everything from tone-deaf to a waste of taxpayer money.

Social media lit up with over 800 comments, most skewering Johnson's musical debut. "This would make Jimi Hendrix advocate for a ground war with Iran," quipped Josh Holmes of the Ruthless Podcast. Others, like conservative influencer LibsofTikTok, highlighted the lyrics' dramatic flair, while comedian Tim Young took a swipe, referencing Johnson's past claim that Guam could capsize. "He’s dumber than AOC," Young posted. Even guitar tuning became a point of attack, with one user urging Johnson to tune his instrument before covering Hendrix.

This isn't the first time Democrats have faced flak for creative social media stunts. From AOC's viral TikTok to this latest musical misstep, the party’s efforts to connect online often hit a sour note with opponents. Johnson's performance, meant to critique Trump's leadership, instead became a lightning rod for mockery, proving that in politics, even a guitar riff can stir up a firestorm.