The True Story Behind Netflix’s Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem – Rob Ford’s Rise and Fall
Rob Ford’s time as Toronto’s mayor wasn’t just headline-worthy — it was explosive. From the moment he stepped into office in 2010, Ford became a larger-than-life figure. Loved by some and loathed by others, his story is the focus of Netflix’s Trainwreck docuseries entry titled Mayor of Mayhem. And it’s honestly a wild ride from start to finish.
This documentary doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It dives headfirst into the highs and deep lows of Ford’s political career, shining light on his controversial legacy and chaotic fall.
What made Rob Ford such a unique political force?
Before he was mayor, Ford served as a city councillor for a full decade, building a reputation for being hands-on. He gave out his personal phone number to residents, took their complaints seriously, and even coached high school football. In a city filled with career politicians, Rob Ford stood out — blue-collar, blunt, and determined to prove something to his father, Doug Ford Sr., a former politician himself.
Once elected mayor, Ford got to work fast. He slashed a vehicle tax, made transit an essential service, and promised to “stop the gravy train” — a catchphrase his supporters loved. But Ford’s approach was as aggressive as it was unfiltered. According to former city councillor John Filion, Ford could be so intense that some colleagues avoided sitting near him in meetings. He threatened political rivals, didn’t hold back in interviews, and had little patience for opposing views.
How did one video flip his entire career upside down?
Then came 2013. The infamous moment when Gawker dropped a bombshell video of Ford allegedly smoking crack cocaine. He denied it all at first, doubling down with a loud and angry attack on the media. Ford lashed out especially hard at the Toronto Star, branding them as liars, echoing the same anti-media tactics we’d later see used by figures like Donald Trump.
Even as journalists dug deeper — and even received death threats — Ford’s base stuck by him. The doc shows how some of his supporters stayed loyal through everything. But eventually, Ford admitted to smoking crack “in one of [his] drunken stupors.” It was a surreal moment. Then another video surfaced in 2014, forcing him into rehab during his re-election campaign.
In the end, a cancer diagnosis halted his political comeback. Rob Ford died in 2016, only 46 years old.
Mayor of Mayhem ends on a reflective note. His advisors speak of him with real affection — not as a perfect man, but as someone who truly wanted to serve. His former chief of staff Mark Towhey leaves us with a haunting line: “All of us have a Rob, somewhere in our life.” That’s the core of Ford’s legacy — messy, human, unforgettable.
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