", Veteran GOP ad maker Jim Innocenzi had no qualms about the coded crudity, calling it "hilarious. [27] The following week, Republican representative Jeff Duncan wore a face mask with the phrase imprinted on it on the House floor. Southwest said in a statement that the airline "takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment" and that "behavior from any individual that is divisive or offensive is not condoned. "Let's go, Brandon" is a code that Republicans use to insult Joe Biden. The phrase was spotted on T-shirts as well as a banner pulled by a plane at Donald Trump's rally at . CNN explains "Let's go Brandon " Makes January 6th comparison. Senator Chris Murphy, made posts referencing "Dark Brandon" on social media. NASCAR and NBC have since taken steps to limit "ambient crowd noise" during interviews, but it was too late the phrase already had taken off. It's a recurring meme on right-wing social media websites. She won the jackpot. And maybe it shouldn't be, if you believe in free speech. Go Brandon, but we all know what the sayin' mean. It's an in-joke, a wink and a nod for elected politicians and supporters to share andsay "hey, I'm a part of the team". in the 1880s over rumours he'd fathered an illegitimate child. [4][5] Later that month, the phenomenon spread to other universities, including Wyoming. SOUTHWEST PILOT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR 'LET'S GO BRANDON'. [19] The slogan has been printed on clothing, a billboard, and a banner flown behind a plane over a pro-Donald Trump rally in Iowa. And I think that's probably fair. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images), RELATED: Florida man faces daily fines for massive 'Let's Go Brandon' sign and pro-Trump sign: 'That's free speech'. "Let's go, Brandon!" has become a popular refrain among US conservatives. (SOUNDBITE OF BRIAN BLADE SONG, "AFTER THE REVIVAL") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. Gov. Brandon is the embodiment of the new American dream, where everything's free, but everyone is still angry. It's become a euphemistic insult to the president and has spread widely on social media. That's not true with Let's Go, Brandon, right? [11][21] In December 2021, Brown, who is a Republican, said he had remained quiet during its proliferation because he had "zero desire to be involved in politics," before expressing his wish for it to be used in a positive context instead. "[64][65] An August piece in Rolling Stone called it "cringe," patronizing, and short-lived. How internet . Either way, President Trump wants YOU to have our ICONIC new shirt.". But search engines and moderators would be capable of catching it. "The most successful memes often consolidate various grievances of a particular community into one picture that speaks a thousand words. SIMON: Independent researcher Hampton Stall has looked into what's become this catchphrase. The phrase "Let's go Brandon," which is understood to be code for swearing at President Biden, was uttered over the intercom by a Southwest pilot during a flight on Friday, a reporter for. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #2: Republican member of Congress wearing a mask that says Let's Go, Brandon. Last week, R ep ublica n U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, of Florida, gave a speech on the House. A viral video from a Southwest flight from Houston to Albuquerque showed the pilot signingoff his greeting over the public address system with the phrase. At a Chicago airport, a man tricked an airline worker into saying the phrase "Let's Go Brandon!" through the paging system. "[23], On November 20, 2021, the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the chant "reveals a moral bankruptcy of those who chant it even in church". The plaintiff alleges they made false or misleading statements about the LGBcoin in a pump and dump scheme. There was no TikTok. STALL: And that word was printed all over different liberal brands. Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were the subject of poems that leaned into racist tropes and allegations of bigamy. And a group chanted "Lets go, Brandon" outside a Virginia park when Biden made an appearance on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe. STALL: On the left, it's usually used for the, like, call-your-manager-type conservative suburbanite as well. OK, so it's different than that. Then Ken. 'Let's go, Brandon' secretly insults President Biden. Video, 'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal, Biden meets Boris: Shared interests but bumps remain, How critical race theory is dividing the US, The Democrats' 'tectonic' shift on Israel, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for double murder, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Zoom boss Greg Tomb fired without cause, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Biden had skin cancer lesion removed - White House. SIMON: There is Brandon Brown, a champion NASCAR driver - won this month at Talladega. It started at an Oct. 2 NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. "Let's go, Brandon!" has become a popular refrain among US conservatives. The reporter suggested they were chanting "Lets go, Brandon" to cheer the driver. His mother wrote a book called Brandon Spots his Sign, and they later met Brandon Brown. Either way, President Trump wants YOU to have our ICONIC new shirt.". Stall, thanks so much for being with us. Brandon Brown, a 28-year-old driver, had won his first Xfinity Series and was being interviewed by an NBC Sports reporter. [29][30][31], On November 12, 2021, when asked about Biden's views regarding the phrase, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded, "I don't think he spends much time focused on it or thinking about it. And that's used across the political spectrum. Driver Brandon Brown was being interviewed by NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast as the crowd behind him chanted something difficult to make out. [26] He attributed the popularity of the phrase to frustration with Biden's "disastrous policies", including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the southern border. If you aren't already familiar with the topic, "Let's go Brandon" has become the favored chant of conservatives across the country a purportedly non-vulgar way of saying "F--k Joe Biden." In . As for Facebook, leaked company documents have recently revealed how the platform increasingly ignored hate speech and misinformation and allowed it to proliferate. Please follow our rules. Sign up for writing inspiration in your email, So, were up to 8.4% inflation. As Biden made his speech, someone shouted Lets go, Brandon over and over again. He was quick to jump on the 'Let's Go Brandon' craze, and has blasted his supporters with text messages hoping to fundraise off the moment. "We have a sense of the dignity of the office of president that has consistently been violated to our horror over the course of American history," said Cal Jillson, a politics expert and professor in the political science department at Southern Methodist University. Ron DeSantis refers to the Biden Administration as the 'Brandon Administration.' As the crowd chants 'Let's go, Brandon,' the governor explains his version of the origins of the phrase. Posey's Oct. 21 speech on the house floor was most notable because he was criticizing Biden while using it. The issue was, the reporter interviewing Brown said they crowd was cheering for Brandon's win, but really they were chanting "F*** Joe Biden.". This is Trump's first rally in Iowa since the 2020 election. They are insults intended to dishonor and offend the president and the 81 million or so Americans who voted for him. But now its more than that to die-hard Trump supporters, said Stanley Renshon, a political scientist and psychoanalyst at the City University of New York. Here's why, Coney Island casino and resort: First look at name, renderings, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Giant bug found at an Arkansas Walmart identified as a Jurassic-era insect. Dredging crews uncover waste in seemingly clear waterways, In a city with a housing crisis, neighbours object to social housing, 'I don't have any money': Blind 98-year-old woman thought she'd have to sell her couch to pay Robodebt bill, How HECS debts became 'yet another way women have to fight' to gain parity with men, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies aged 61, 'Heartbroken': Matildas midfielder suffers serious injury ahead of World Cup, NRL live: Bulldogs begin new era in clash with reborn Sea Eagles. One message to supporters reads, "#FJB or LETS GO BRANDON? [10], On October 2, 2021, racing driver Brandon Brown was being interviewed by NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, following his victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 race which was shortened due to darkness. When the president visited a construction site in suburban Chicago a few weeks ago to promote his vaccinate-or-test mandate, protesters deployed both three-word phrases. And while that win his first career victory was huge for him, the team has long struggled for sponsorship and existing partners have not been marketing the driver since the slogan. "Let's Go Brandon" is a political slogan and Internet meme used as a substitute for the phrase "Fuck Joe Biden" in reference to Joe Biden, the 46th and current president of the United States. Initially, Thiessen was not a fan of the chant, but concluded his comments with, "it is a perfectly harmless and humorous way for Americans to express their frustration at a flailing and failing presidency. But its hidden G-rated camouflage has sparked others to use the saying more than the original expletive-laced chant. That "FREE SHIRT" being promised only comes witha minimum $US45 ($60) donation (and the website suggests a $250 donation with a little animation. A vulgar chant by racing fans in Alabama has morphed into a conservative meme, 'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal. But it was clear they were saying, (Expletive) Joe Biden.". He ended his speech by saying Americans want Democrats "to help put America back where you found it and leave it the hell alone. NASCAR and NBC have since taken steps to limit "ambient crowd noise" during interviews, but it was too late the phrase already had taken off. But anger has now moved beyond die-hard Trump supporters, said Stanley Renshon, a political scientist and psychoanalyst at the City University of New York. Even the racism and vitriol to which former President Barack Obama was subjected was tempered in part because Twitter was relatively new. We won't be around the bush, it actually means "F*** Joe Biden". Let's Go Brandon is a euphemistic phrase used by critics of US President Joe Biden to mean "Fuck Joe Biden." On social media, the phrase is commonly used as the hashtag #LetsGoBrandon. "Let's Go Brandon" has become conservative code, a kind of not-so-secret handshake, for another three-word phrase: "F--- Joe Biden." Why it was in Beaverson's obituary is not known. Read about our approach to external linking. quickly spread among conservative groups and continues to be used in place of the direct expletive toward President Biden, even among members of Congress. What does 'Let's Go Brandon' mean? Addressing the heckler, Biden said: Throughout our history, Americas often made the greatest progress coming out of some of our darkest moments like youre hearing that bullhorn.. #LetsGoBrandon. The phrase has been printed on hats, T-shirts, and other merchandise. "Let's go, Brandon" isn't the first president-related meme to take off, nor is it the first time a president has dealt with vulgar messages. It just maybe won't have the same level of staying power. After firings and claims of bias, staffers say they fear more damage on his way out. "Let's Go Brandon" is a political slogan and Internet meme used as a substitute for the phrase "Fuck Joe Biden" in reference to Joe Biden, the 46th and current president of the United States. Williams sued, with former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler acting as his attorney. Arizona Republican Senate candidate Jim Lamon invoked the anti-Biden phrase "Let's go, Brandon" in a campaign ad released on Monday. "Let's go, Brandon!" Just like "Lock Her Up" in 2016, "Let's Go Brandon" has taken root in an age of politics where memes often matter more than policies. In October 2021, Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended a House floor speech by saying Lets go, Brandon, while South Carolina Republican Jeff Duncan has worn a Lets Go Brandon face mask, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has posed with a Lets Go Brandon sign. Even former US President Donald Trump is selling Lets Go Brandon T-shirts and caps from his Save America store. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. First Karen. By Anthony Zurcher. Instead, the phrase is being used in conservative circles in . He's having a good year, I'm kind of happy for him. What does 'Let's Go Brandon', the latest phrase sweeping US politics, actually mean? On a Southwest flight from Houston to Albuquerque, the pilot signed off his greeting over the public address system with the phrase, to audible gasps from some passengers. "[25], Republican politicians have used the phrase publicly. The phrase "Let's go, Brandon" actually means "F--- Joe Biden." Photos: 'Let's go, Brandon,' a cryptic code that insults President Joe Biden. He's the founder of MilitiaWatch. [51] Brandonbilt's spokesman told Fox Business that approval was received on December 26,[52] but on January 5, 2022, FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass reported that NASCAR had not approved the sponsorship. Thanks for joining r/WalkAway! SIMON: Well, you know, covfefe - and I don't know SIMON: If there is a correct pronunciation since it's not a word. The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out. [22], On November 5, 2021, NASCAR president Steve Phelps denounced any implied association with the slogan, saying that the organization does not want to be associated with politics on either the left or the right. STALL: I think so. The phrase "Let's Go Brandon" has been chanted at football games, printed on T-shirts and repeated by U.S. politicians but what exactly does it mean? [12], According to The Independent, on October 19, "The anti-Biden war cry 'Let's Go Brandon' is no longer a conservative media phenomenon, it's infiltrating mainstream popular culture and is now number one and two on iTunes, knocking Adele's new single into third place. Instead of "Let's Go, Brandon!" the crowd was chanting, "F--- Joe Biden." A reading of the two chants may not do it justice, but there are videos galore, some of which appear at the end . After the race, while reporter Kelli Stavast was interieving the winning driver, Brandon Brown, the crowd in the background could be heard loudly chanting Fuck Joe Biden. Stavast acknowledged the chanting and then incorrectly noted it as being a chant of Lets Go Brandon (likely because she couldnt hear the chant clearly and/or wanted to redirect attention back to Brown). The phrase was spotted on T-shirts as well as a banner pulled by a plane at Donald Trump's rally at . "[35], In April 2022, Colorado state representative Dave Williams ran for the House of Representatives and attempted to be listed on the ballot under the name "Dave 'Lets Go Brandon' Williams". ", A supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump displays a "Let's Go Brandon" hat before a campaign event for Terry McAuliffe, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Just this month, thanks to Joe Biden. In the video, the crowd behind him is chanting "f*** Joe Biden" however, the NBC reporter is claiming the chant is . Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani, Mary Clare Jalonick, Brian Slodysko and Will Weissert in Washington and Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, N.C., contributed to this report. "[12], As the phrase began to increase in use, Brandon Brown found the phrase amusing[20] and tweeted: "To all the other Brandons out there, You're welcome! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Two protesters dropped the euphemism entirely, holding up hand-drawn signs with the profanity. Instead, the phrase is being used in conservative circles in place of a more vulgar message directed at President Biden. The awkward and quite frankly hilarious moment, occurred when NBC reporter Kelli Stavast was interviewing Brandon Brown following his victory, so you can . [24] In a November 23, 2021, opinion piece for The Washington Post, Marc Thiessen, a former chief speechwriter for president George W. Bush, commented that the chant was tame compared to what has been said about other presidents. On Friday night, a Southwest Airlines pilot allegedly said "Let's go Brandon" over the plane intercom, causing a stir on board and prompting an investigation by the airline. When Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended an Oct. 21 House floor speech with a fist pump and the phrase "Lets go, Brandon!" But another way that it spread really quickly was the phrase, the meme was boosted by all kinds of alternative right-wing media, by right-wing figures, including the son of the former U.S. president, Donald Trump, on places like Fox News, on Breitbart. On social media, the phrase is commonly used as the hashtag #LetsGoBrandon. A day later, Gov. "We have a sense of the dignity of the office of president that has consistently been violated to our horror over the course of American history," said Cal Jillson, a politics expert and professor in the political science department at Southern Methodist University. And that's a whole bowl of wrong. President Barack Obama was in office as social. "Let's go Brandon!" is a rallying cry for the right. Sane people aren't offended by it. The phrase is commonly featured on anti-Biden merchandise, like bumper stickers and T-shirts. It's far less polarizing than "(Expletive) Joe Biden.". it may have seemed cryptic and weird to many who were listening. Sen. Mitch McConnells press secretary retweeted a photo of the phrase on a construction sign in Virginia. On October 21, Republican congressman Bill Posey concluded remarks on the House floor with "Let's go, Brandon". Greg Abbott tweets anti-Biden phrase alongside clip from Breitbart interview", "GOP Lawmaker Wears 'Let's Go Brandon' Mask on House Floor in Barely Veiled Swipe at President Biden", "Florida Gov. Last week,Biden's motorcade was driving past a "Let's Go Brandon" banner as the President passed through Plainfield, New Jersey. The reporter suggested they were chanting "Lets go, Brandon" to cheer the driver. Now Brandon. The attempts for further-right groups to hijack the conversation right now have been mostly unsuccessful, with the exception being militia groups, which were already doing this kind of stuff anyway. A Southwest Airlines pilot is also facing an internal investigation for allegedly saying, Lets go, Brandon, over the intercom during a flight from Houston to Albuquerque last week. When the president visited a construction site in suburban Chicago last monthto promote his vaccinate-or-test mandate, protesters turned to the phrase. "The meme feeds into several long-running beliefs in conservative circles - that liberals are snowflakes who get offended at things quickly and that so-called liberal media will censor all criticism of Biden," Amarasingam says. Even the racism and vitriol to which former President Barack Obama was subjected was tempered in part because Twitter was relatively new. rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Lets Go Brandon "Let's Go Brandon" is an imaginative troll, specific to the age of the internet but it's unlikely to have the staying power of the immortal presidential nickname "OK," which over the. WhenPresident Biden visited a construction site in suburban Chicago a few weeks ago to promote his vaccinate-or-test mandate, protesters deployed both the "Brandon" version and the non-coded version of the chant. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #3: Electronic road signs that are posted near construction zones - well, some Northern Virginia residents woke up to a couple of them that didn't have messages about traffic. More recently, Southwest Airlines opened an internal investigation when a pilot used it over the loudspeaker. ", "F--- Trump" graffiti still marks many an overpass in Washington, D.C. George W. Bush had a shoe thrown in his face. ", "Congressional candidate sues to have "Let's Go Brandon" as a nickname on Colorado ballot", "Congressional candidate loses bid to go by 'Let's Go Brandon' on ballot", "Colorado Supreme Court says Lamborn challenger Dave Williams can't use 'Let's Go Brandon' on ballot", "Las Vegas rapper's song inspired by 'Let's go Brandon' meme, skyrockets on iTunes", "#1 hip-hop song on iTunes chart, "Let's Go, Brandon" inspired by anti-Biden meme", "@RealBrysonGray's "Let's Go Brandon," featuring @Tyson_James_ & @realCCrump, debuts at No. When Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended an Oct. 21 House floor speech with a fist pump and the phrase "Let's go, Brandon!" it may have seemed cryptic and weird to many who were . "I understand there is a vulgar meaning to 'Let's go, Brandon,' but I'm not that simple-minded, no . The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out. I mean, Facebook released that Let's Go, Brandon as a phrase is not a bannable term. He drives for a short-staffed, underfunded team owned by his father. But who knows how long its shelf life will be, NBC News senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson also reported on TODAY. SIMON: The original chant for which Let's Go, Brandon is - has become a euphemism - let me put it that way - is crude, but not violent. DeSantis, others in the crowd respond with chants of 'Let's go Brandon' and We love Casey as deputies remove the man. STALL: No. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England. The phrase has also been used by multiple politicians, including Texas Gov. [13] A country rap song of the same name was recorded by Forgiato Blow. [15], Linguist John McWhorter analyzed the linguistic attributes of the chant in The Atlantic, likening the use of "Brandon" to a hlonipha a substitution of a forbidden word. Fact check:False claim that 'Let's go Brandon' chant was classified as hate speech, Fact check:Image of cargo ships spelling out 'Let's go Brandon' originated as satire, It's a direct insult to Biden. It is found on billboards, coffee mugs, T-shirts, face masks, Halloween costumes, and even used as a sign-off to political speeches. The phrase has burst into the political parlor in the last few months as it is used to criticize the Joe Biden presidency. Last week, Bidens motorcade drove past a Lets Go Brandon banner as the president passed through Plainfield, New Jersey. In short, it's an insult directed at Democratic President Joe Biden - and a way for conservatives to thumb their noses at what they see as liberal bias in the mainstream media. And there are sensitivities around airing the F-word. Let's go, Sylvia! What about Karen? As a reminder, this sub is for discussion, memes, and news about leaving the Left, or reasons to do so. Rupert Murdoch struck an alliance with President Trump early on, and Fox News has bolstered his presidency. Brown himself later told The New York Times, "I have zero desire to be involved in politics.". DeSantis trolls President Biden, will sign bills limiting vaccine mandates in Brandon, FL", "Lauren Boebert's 'Let's Go Brandon' Dress Screams Prom Villain", "Psaki Asked About Let's Go Brandon: I Don't Think Biden "Spends Much Time Focused On It Or Thinking About It", "Joe Biden Says He Agrees After Christmas Caller Tells Him 'Let's Go Brandon, "On Santa tracking call, Biden is told 'Let's go Brandon' and says he agrees", "Joe Biden Rips Fox News Hypocrisy, Mocks Low Polls, Praises Trevor Noah & Shows WHCD He Gets "Let's Go, Brandon! Obscene chants directed at the president have been a recurring theme at conservative gatherings and sporting events in recent months, so the "Brandon" line became a tongue-in-cheek way of evading media censorship and public sensibilities - while still getting the point across to those in the know.