Dem Rep Hank Johnson Breaks the Cringe Meter with ‘Hey, Trump’ Jimi Hendrix Tribute [WATCH]

June 22, 2025

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) is facing widespread criticism following the release of a video in which he performed an off-key rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” to commemorate Black Music Month.

The two-minute video, posted to his official account, featured Johnson strumming a guitar and altering the song’s lyrics to reference President Donald Trump.

Black Music Month was first recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a way to honor the contributions of African American artists to American music.

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In his video, Johnson said he intended to offer “some commentary on where we are now” through music, before introducing his performance.

“And if y’all don’t mind, I’ma just strum a little bit. Please don’t hold it against me,” Johnson said before beginning to play.

The congressman’s version of the 1960s ballad, made famous by Jimi Hendrix, included revised lyrics aimed at President Trump.

“Hey Trump, where you going with that gun in your hand?” Johnson sang.

“I’m going down the street to shoot democracy, you know I wanna be a king someday.”

June is Black Music Month. This year, I decided to come back with another jam session for you all. Here is my rendition of “Hey Joe” by the Godfather of Rock, Jimi Hendrix. pic.twitter.com/idBOQRKeet

— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) June 18, 2025

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The reaction on social media was swift and overwhelmingly negative.

Viewers described the performance as awkward and off-beat, with several questioning the judgment behind releasing the clip.

“The cringe level in this is immeasurable,” one user responded.

The cringe level in this is immeasurable.

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) June 19, 2025

“I never thought I would be jealous of Helen Keller, but here we are,” another user wrote.

I never thought I would be jealous of Helen Keller, but here we are 🙁

— ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕠𝕣 𝔻𝕒𝕩𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖 (@DaxophoneSolo) June 19, 2025

A third added, “I was going to put politics aside and thought he might have some talent so I watched. Holy [expletive] was I wrong, this is awful.”

I was going to put politics aside and thought he might have some talent so I watched. Holy shit was I wrong, this is awful.

— Mr. Knish (@bigolemrknish) June 19, 2025

The video drew additional attention because Johnson’s communications director is a former journalist with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Commenters expressed confusion about how such a clip was cleared to be posted from an official congressional account.

Rep. Johnson has served in Congress since 2007, representing Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, which includes parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Newton counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Before his election to Congress, Johnson worked as an associate judge and served on the DeKalb County Commission.

His district is considered solidly Democratic, but the video has prompted some political observers to question whether Johnson may face a primary challenge in the future, particularly from younger or more media-savvy candidates.

This is not the first time congressional Democrats have faced backlash over musical performances.

In March, following a vote to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) for interrupting a speech by President Trump during a joint session of Congress, Democratic members gathered on the House floor and sang “We Shall Overcome” in protest.

That performance was also met with widespread mockery online.

Rep. Johnson is no stranger to controversial statements. He previously made headlines in 2010 when he expressed concern during a congressional hearing that the island of Guam might “tip over and capsize” due to overpopulation.