CHICAGO (VINnews) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sharply rebuked a reporter during a Tuesday press conference, calling the journalist “disgusting and racist” after being asked about a surge in violence involving groups of Black teenagers in the city’s downtown area.
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The confrontation occurred when William J. Kelly, an independent reporter, pressed the mayor on public safety priorities following multiple incidents of large groups of teens causing chaos in the Loop, including a November shooting near the city’s official X-mas tree lighting on State Street.
“The fact that you think that a Christmas market across the street from City Hall is more of a threat to public safety than violent Black teenagers running down State Street shooting people at a Christmas tree lighting shows your priorities,” Kelly told the mayor.
Johnson, visibly angered, responded by accusing Kelly of injecting race into the discussion.
“You are disgusting and racist for even bringing that up,” the mayor said, pointing at the reporter. “It is shameful that you would even attempt to divide our city at a time that we are trying to celebrate our families.”
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, drawing criticism from some who argued the mayor was dodging legitimate questions about rising youth violence, while others defended Johnson’s condemnation of what they called a racially charged framing of the issue.
Chicago has grappled with repeated incidents of large teen gatherings turning violent in recent years, including mob-action arrests and shootings in the Magnificent Mile and Loop areas. City officials have implemented curfews and increased police presence in response, though critics say the measures have been inconsistent.
Neither the mayor’s office nor Kelly immediately responded to requests for comment following the press conference.
The reporter is a shoite. He could’ve simply said “violent teenagers” asking the question without directly invoking race while addressing the same problem. Knowing how to ask without losing self respect, is key for that job.
Funny for that to be coming, Brandon Johnson, a friend of anti-Semites
Just ask the question without the word black. Should read
“The fact that you think that a Christmas market across the street from City Hall is more of a threat to public safety than violent teenagers running down State Street shooting people at a Christmas tree lighting shows your priorities,”
If the shoe fits…..
Convenient answer when no other answer will do.
The USA IS DOOMED
When confronted by one’s own shortcomings, avoids taking responsibility for owns own guilt by attempting to instill guilt or shame in the victim. Mayor attempts to avoid the question by blaming the reporter asking the question: ““It is ***shameful*** that ***you*** would even attempt to … .”
Obama was the architect of racial arson since the 1960s.
Yes the question was racially charged. It didnt need to be.
He’s learned his lesson from the NYC Mayor-elect. Just like Mamdani replies “Islamophobia” every time he’s uncomfortable answering a question, Johnson now invokes “white racism” when he also cannot answer a question.