Overview

• Johnson, a high-profile conservative influencer, accompanied ICE operations in Chicago before sharing an Oct. 6 AI video portraying himself as Batman.
• The 22-second clip shows him punching and kicking people in sombreros and ponchos outside a Walmart, including a woman, with campy comic-style effects.
• Descriptions of the footage note no indication the targets are migrants or committing crimes, fueling criticism that the imagery is racist and dehumanizing.
• DC fans called on studio leaders such as James Gunn to pursue legal action over the unauthorized use of Batman, with no official response or lawsuit reported.
• The uproar comes as federal immigration enforcement intensifies in Chicago, which Illinois leaders oppose, while outlets seek comment from DHS and the White House.