Roxy Mayhem’s “Fuck Donald Trump” Blasts Through the Neo-Punk Scene Like a Molotov Cocktail
The Chicago punk scene has birthed countless rabble-rousers, but Roxy Mayhem is a standout revolutionary. Her latest single, “Fuck Donald Trump,” is a scalding, sardonic anthem that combines the seething anger of punk with the cheeky irreverence of bands like Wet Leg, recalling the sardonic flair of “Chaise Longue” while firmly planting its flag in the chaos of American politics.
Mayhem, who spent years grinding in local venues and playing backup for other punk and electronic acts, has taken the DIY ethos to its extreme. Her transition to a solo career in 2024 brought not only a cohesive band of misfit creatives but also a sharpened lyrical edge that refuses to mince words—or apologize. “Fuck Donald Trump” isn’t just a protest song; it’s a rallying cry for a generation that’s been bruised and battered but remains unbowed.
The track opens with a stomping beat and jagged guitar riffs, a deliberate, head-nodding pulse that sets the stage for Roxy’s biting vocal delivery. Lines like “Time to find where the truth hides / Voices loud, breaking through the night” capture the urgency of a country teetering on the edge. Her lyrics are half battle cry, half sardonic mockery, taking direct aim at the political landscape while weaving in biting humor: “Here’s a shoutout to Q-Anon / Are you still gone? (gone-gone-gone).”
What makes “Fuck Donald Trump” more than just a punk tirade is its unabashed theatricality. The chorus—a furious repetition of the titular phrase—is pure catharsis, while the bridge veers into a darkly comedic critique of the Supreme Court and systemic hate, complete with biting references to social alienation and disillusionment (“Going to school was a mistake / Getting a job was a mistake”). It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply sobering, a tightrope act Mayhem walks with the precision of a high-wire artist.
Musically, the song is deceptively straightforward: buzzing guitars, thundering drums, and a snarling vocal delivery that feels like a modern reinterpretation of classic punk ferocity. Yet, there’s a modernity to the production—gorgeous harmonies bubble under the surface, giving the track an edge that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Add in the top-notch musicianship and you’ve got a perfect little earworm.
Roxy Mayhem’s refusal to play the social media fame game only adds to her mystique. While other artists chase algorithms, Mayhem and her crew rely on word-of-mouth and the raw energy of live shows, a throwback to punk’s heyday that feels refreshingly rebellious in an era of TikTok virality.
“Fuck Donald Trump” is more than a song; it’s a middle finger in musical form, aimed squarely at complacency, hate, and the broken systems that enable them. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically brash—everything punk should be. And just like its creator, it demands to be heard.