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Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem

November 4, 2025·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Rob Ford admits he smoked crack cocaine, saying 'probably in one of my drunken stupors' a year ago.

This episode of True Crime Obsessed covers the Netflix documentary "Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem," which details the political rise and scandals of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Hosts Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle react to the story with their signature comedic and conversational style. The episode begins with a discussion of the 2009 Toronto garbage strike, which set the stage for Ford's populist appeal. Ford was a city councilor known for his aggressive, outspoken manner before running for mayor. His campaign manager and older brother, Doug Ford, heavily influenced him, and their father's political legacy was a driving force. Ford launched his mayoral campaign with a clever publicity stunt, marching past a major news studio to gain free media attention. He won significant support by portraying himself as a man of the people, famously handing out his personal cell phone number to constituents. A reporter named Katie shared a story about Ford personally helping her friend's father resolve a dead tree issue in his yard. Journalists began investigating Ford's past, uncovering a 1999 impaired driving conviction and a 2006 incident where he was drunk and swore at a couple during a hockey game. Despite these revelations, his popularity grew, with supporters appreciating his blunt, politically incorrect style. After winning the election, Ford had a successful first year, repealing a vehicle registration tax and preventing transit strikes. A conflict of interest case nearly removed him from office after he used city stationery to solicit donations for his high school football foundation. In February 2013, Chief of Staff Mark Towhey attended a military gala, only for a drunk and disheveled Rob Ford to arrive and put him in a headlock. Investigative journalist Robin Doolittle received a tip on April Fool's Day about a video showing Ford smoking crack cocaine. Doolittle met sources in a parking lot, who showed her the video on a phone but refused to let her keep it. Gawker eventually broke the story about the video, allowing the Toronto Star to confirm and publish their own report. The hosts find it fascinating that Ford maintained a devoted base despite numerous public scandals and verifiable incidents. They draw clear parallels between Ford's tactics of demonizing the media and similar strategies used later by other political figures. A memorable moment is their extended, humorous digression about domesticating raccoons and the animals' hypothetical support for the garbage strike. The episode highlights how Ford's early hands-on help for constituents created a lasting loyalty that survived later controversies. Patrick and Gillian express disbelief that such a chaotic figure could govern Canada's largest city, which they typically view as rational and orderly. They note the documentary's emphasis on Ford's personal struggles, including his desire to please his father and his issues with alcohol. The tone is highly conversational, comedic, and reactive, as the hosts interject with personal anecdotes and humorous tangents. Their style is informal and engaging, full of pop culture references and empathetic commentary. This episode will delight fans of political scandals, Canadian politics, and listeners who enjoy humorous recaps of documentary films. Those who prefer a strictly factual, linear narrative or are sensitive to comedic takes on serious topics might choose to skip it.

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