The True Story Behind Netflix’s Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem

As a movie buff reminiscing about real-life dramas, I’d say: I remember Rob Ford, the ex-mayor of Toronto, who was already stirring up trouble long before the infamous crack video surfaced. This brash politician, known for his alleged bigoted and discriminatory remarks and a past conviction for driving under the influence, managed to secure the mayoral seat in 2010. His controversial tenure brought him global notoriety, making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

A new Netflix documentary titled “Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem” delves into the journey and downfall of Toronto’s former mayor, Ford. This intriguing series explores his political career and subsequent disgrace, shedding light on the investigative journalists who covered the scandal, city council members, and individuals who worked under him.

Ford’s rise to power

In the TV show “Mayor of Mayhem,” it is reported that Ford admired his political father Doug Ford Sr., and consistently strove to win his approval. Prior to becoming mayor, Ford was a well-liked city councilor for a Toronto ward from 2000 to 2010.

In his political role, he became recognized for giving out his contact details to voters and encouraging them to reach out should any issues arise. Despite his busy schedule, he also managed to take on the role of coaching high school football during his free time.

2010 saw Rob Ford’s election as mayor, and during his inaugural year, he successfully pushed through several changes. He persuaded the City Council to abolish a car registration fee. Moreover, he classified local public transport workers as an essential service, preventing them from going on strike.

However, his bold demeanor created distance among some city council members. As John Filion, a city counselor, stated in the documentary, “He was so forceful that many found it uncomfortable to be around him.” Ford often threatened his adversaries, saying if they didn’t collaborate with him, he would annihilate them.

The smoke out

Back in May 2013, a video allegedly showing Ford using crack was posted on Gawker. Initially, Ford claimed he hadn’t used crack cocaine and there was no such video available.

As the number of news outlets covering the scandal increased, Ford seemed to grow more determined to discredit the media. Known as an arch-conservative, Ford targeted The Toronto Star, a newspaper with a reputation for progressiveness, labeling it and its journalists as “chronic liars.

According to Star reporter David Rider, Rob Ford’s tactic of criticizing the media, similar to Donald Trump’s approach, was highly impactful years prior. In fact, some journalists reportedly faced death threats when covering Ford’s scandals.

Despite no longer being in office, Ford continued to have a loyal fanbase. The film depicts advocates rallying behind him for another term.

In November 2013, during a press conference held outside his city hall office in Toronto, Ford openly acknowledged that he had previously used crack cocaine, but emphasized that he was not addicted. Approximately five months later, Robyn Doolittle from the Globe and Mail received information about a video depicting Ford holding a crack pipe. Once the Globe and Mail published images taken from this video in April 2014, with Ford being in the midst of his re-election campaign, he chose to enter rehab.

In September 2014, he decided against running for re-election after doctors found a tumor in his abdomen. Sadly, Ford lost his battle with cancer in 2016 at the young age of 46.

In this scenario, the Mayor, often referred to as the “Mayor of Mayhem,” hands over the final say to Ford’s devoted aides. One praises him as selfless, while another becomes emotional as he recalls assisting Ford in managing the scandal. Mark Towhey, Ford’s former Chief of Staff, concludes the 49-minute documentary by saying, “We all have a ‘Rob’ in our lives. In time, I believe history will view him as a man who struggled with an illness yet achieved feats never seen before. And…the negative aspects, well, they certainly speak for themselves.

Read More

2025-06-17 02:06