The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out. 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. "Let's go, Brandon" is a code that Republicans use to insult Joe Biden. But how did Republicans settle on the Brandon phrase as a G-rated substitute for its more vulgar three-word cousin? This is Trump's first rally in Iowa since the 2020 election. 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. The conservative social media ecosystem quickly latched onto the moment. It's actually a coded way for Republicans. And he joins us from Atlanta. Please follow our rules. DeSantis, others in the crowd respond with chants of 'Let's go Brandon' and We love Casey as deputies remove the man. STALL: Well, there's a few different ways that I've sort of tried to theoretically explore the Let's Go, Brandon meme becoming as large as it is today. The expression became popular as a way of expressing opposition to Joe Biden without using the explicit phrase it represents. Lindsay Lowe has been a regular contributor to TODAY.com since 2016, covering pop culture, style, home and other lifestyle topics. STALL: And that word was printed all over different liberal brands. 2023 BBC. It was included in campaigning emails in the same way that currently, like, Let's Go, Brandon as a phrase is being repeated in the conservative sphere, in the MAGA world. Brandeis University made headlines recently after a group of students developed a list of words and phrases that some consider to be oppressive language. In early September 2021, chants of "Fuck Joe Biden" were reported to have broken out in several college football games in the Southern United States. They have no shame. One message to supporters reads, "#FJB or LETS GO BRANDON? 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The phrase Let's Go, Brandon was boosted all over the country. Who is Brandon, and why is the phrase Let's Go, Brandon being heard on the floor of Congress? 'Let's go, Brandon' secretly insults President Biden. Fox says the lawsuit threatens journalists' free speech. Its all the rage among Republicans wanting to prove their conservative credentials, a not-so-secret handshake that signals theyre in sync with the partys base. But it became increasingly clear they were saying: "F- Joe Biden.". "To all the other Brandons out there, You're welcome!" [49], After the president fell off his bike in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in June 2022, a Google Maps user listed the spot as a historical landmark on Google maps named Brandon Falls. 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". Driver named Brandon Brown won the race, and fans were chanting in the crowd. One of them is that the phrase is a very shareable and adaptable phrase that can be sort of said publicly in the way that cursing out the president cannot. [57][58], The phrase has been used on bumper stickers supporting Brandon Presley, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Mississippi in 2023. [39] The song first went viral on TikTok before rising to number one on the iTunes Store Top Hip-Hop/Rap Songs list, and number two on the platform's Top Songs list, on October 18, 2021. United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. Then Ken. As for Facebook, leaked company documents have recently revealed how the platform increasingly ignored hate speech and misinformation and allowed it to proliferate. But it became increasingly clear they were saying: "F--- Joe Biden.". The phrase originatedat an Oct. 2 NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. [20] He planned to ignore the phrase, but later worried that his silence was perceived as a tacit endorsement of the sentiment. SOUTHWEST PILOT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR 'LET'S GO BRANDON'. ", "The 'Dark Brandon' Meme Has Died From a Terminal Case of Cringe", Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Let%27s_Go_Brandon&oldid=1140422469, Television controversies in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 00:59. What does 'Let's Go Brandon' mean? 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 . The crowd was chanting "F . The reporter suggested they were chanting "Let's go, Brandon" to cheer the driver. Audible gasps from some passengers were heard. What does "Let's go, Brandon" mean about Joe Biden? Stavast suggested that the crowd was saying, Lets go, Brandon! However, it later became apparent that the crowd was shouting, F--- Joe Biden.. 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). Michael Pack is nearing the close of his turbulent tenure as CEO of the parent agency to the Voice of America. Atlanta, GA 30318 And if you object and are taking it too seriously, go away.". The term "Let's Go Brandon" first originated from a NASCAR race in October that happened in Alabama. His family. But search engines and moderators would be capable of catching it. Either way, President Trump wants YOU to have our ICONIC new shirt.". The phrase Let's Go, Brandon was boosted all over the country. The seemingly innocuous chant is becoming an increasingly common partof American politics. At a Chicago airport, a man tricked an airline worker into saying the phrase "Let's Go Brandon!" through the paging system. Instead, the phrase is being used in conservative circles in place of a more vulgar message directed at President Biden. Instead, the phrase is being used in conservative circles in . Even the racism and vitriol to which former President Barack Obama was subjected was tempered in part because Twitter was relatively new. Brown, on the other hand, seems to appreciate his unexpected part in the phenomenon. With Joe Biden's victory, Fox is stepping warily to avoid alienating Trump supporters. Instead, the bogus Build Back Better plan and reconciliation plan - you know what they want? "The Story Behind "Let's Go Brandon," the Secretly Vulgar Chant Suddenly Beloved by Republicans", "Biden's critics hurl increasingly vulgar taunts", "Why a Pilot Is Under Investigation for Saying 'Let's Go Brandon, "College students chant 'F--- Joe Biden' at football games", "University Of Wyoming Football Attendees Chant "F Joe Biden" During Saturday Game", "NBC NASCAR Reporter Kelli Stavast's Response To Anti-Joe Biden Chant Is Hilarious", "Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine slams COVID-19 restrictions during concert: 'This is called tyranny, "Protesters chant 'f*** Joe Biden and de Blasio' as thousands of teachers lose work due to vaccine mandate", "How 'Let's Go Brandon' became code for insulting Joe Biden", "Why are MAGA supporters chanting 'Let's Go Brandon' to mock Democrats? He's the founder of MilitiaWatch. Standing up and standing tall. Last week,Biden's motorcade was driving past a "Let's Go Brandon" banner as the President passed through Plainfield, New Jersey. "Let's go, Brandon!" has become a popular refrain among US conservatives. 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. The team has long struggled for sponsorship and existing partners have not been marketing the driver since the slogan took off. I mean, Karen, I think, is more of a, like, demographic stab. But now it's being used to sell guns and ammunition. Jeff Duncan, a Republican congressman from South Carolina, also shared a photo wearing a mask with the viral phrase. Las Vegas rapper Loza Alexander penned a song called "Let's go Brandon" in late October of last year, which went viral on TikTok before taking the No. President Biden couldn't escape the chant on a visit to Michigan the . 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. "Lets Go Brandon" began making the rounds in October 2021 following a race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. [7][8], The Washington Examiner reported that "Fuck Joe Biden" was chanted by some attendees at a Megadeth concert in September 2021,[9] and at an October 2021 protest in response to a vaccine mandate for educators in New York City. That's not true with Let's Go, Brandon, right? Politics And Social Issues. Americans are accustomed to their leaders being publicly jeered, and former President Donald Trumps often-coarse language seemed to expand the boundaries of what counts as normal political speech. But its hidden G-rated camouflage has sparked others to use the saying more than the original expletive-laced chant at the NASCAR crowd. Some gun dealers are even using the phrase to market weapon parts. As for Facebook, leaked company documents have recently revealed how the platform increasingly ignored hate speech and misinformation and allowed it to proliferate. Let's go, Sylvia! These times, people wakin' up to e'ything. Unless you are living in a cave, you know what it means, he said. What about Karen? The saying is spreading quickly, especially amongconservatives who oppose Biden. 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? And Southwest said in a statement after its pilot used the phrase 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.. America's presidents have endured meanness for centuries; Grover Cleveland faced chants of "Ma, Ma Wheres my Pa?" Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. 'Thank you, Brandon' just means thanks. 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? "We never fail to be horrified by some new outrage.". "Let's Go Brandon," seen here on a sign at a college football game, is used as shorthand to insult President Biden. "Before the expansion of social media a few years ago, there wasnt an easily accessible public forum to shout your nastiest and darkest public opinions," said Matthew Delmont, a history professor at Dartmouth College. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. [20] In October 2021, Brown's Brandonbilt Motorsports team was struggling to acquire sponsorship, as companies were hesitant to support him due to his indirect association with the chant and its political undertones. While it is often used with the intention of being at least somewhat humorous due to its euphemistic nature, it is nevertheless usually intended to convey the explicit meaning of the phrase it represents. Bill Clinton was criticized with such fervor that his most vocal critics were labeled the "Clinton crazies.". Whether by mistake or as an intentional attempt to deflect from the swearing on live television, Ms Stavast told Mr Brown that the crowd was cheering him on with chants of "Let's go, Brandon". It's "Let's Go Brandon." But how did Republicans settle on the Brandon phrase as a G . Some of the lyrics include: "That's what they get for treatin' us like we in Squid Games. "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. Posey's Oct. 21 speech on the house floor was most notable because he was criticizing Biden while using it. But its hidden G-rated camouflage has sparked others to use the saying more than the original expletive-laced chant. It's a direct insult to Biden. SIMON: Is there any evidence that this phrase, which is perfectly innocuous, is being used for more malevolent purposes? [63] An Agence France-Presse journalist wrote that the variant rebranded "him from ineffectual grandfather figure to a kind of political terminator. The phrase originated from a live broadcast at a NASCAR race, when the reporter conducting the post-race interview with winning driver Brandon Brown incorrectly noted that the crowd was chanting Lets Go Brandon when the phrase being chanted was actually Fuck Joe Biden. (Read more about the origin of the phrase in the next section.). This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. The phrase Lets Go Brandon originated during a live broadcast at the Sparks 300 NASCAR race on October 2, 2021. [1] In private, he was ambivalent about the phrase because it overshadowed his Talladega win and threatened to scare off corporate sponsors leery of controversy. Matthew Delmont, a history professor at Dartmouth College, said that the big difference between the abuse then and now was the expansion of social media. Lawmakers, musicians, politicians Sens. [1] The slogan has become well known through use by Republican politicians and critics of Biden. [54], In February 2022, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a lawsuit against Bitconnect that the Securities Act of 1933 extends to targeted solicitation using social media. The line has become conservative code for something far more vulgar: "F- Joe Biden." ", Trump hasn't missed the moment. The perceived media filter has also been a key component for the popularity of the Brandon meme. This past week, Bidens motorcade was driving past a "Lets Go Brandon" banner as the president passed through Plainfield, New Jersey. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. Greg Abbott of Texas tweeted the phrase. This is not meant to be a formal definition of Lets Go Brandon like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were the subject of poems that leaned into racist tropes and allegations of bigamy. One message to supporters reads, "#FJB or LETS GO BRANDON? Even former US President Donald Trump is selling Lets Go Brandon T-shirts and caps from his Save America store. Oliver Povey Olabolob 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. A portion of the U.S. was already angry before the Brandon moment, believing the 2020 presidential election was rigged despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, which has stood the test of recounts and court cases. "Let's Go Brandon" has become the latest tagline tacked on to commentary by folks on the conservative end of the political spectrum. I think it's sort of past the point where enough people in the mainstream, like, political audience in the United States have heard it that it will be remembered in the future. Without knowing the political. Some conservatives view Ms Stavast's attribution of the Biden chant as yet another example of the media covering up for and protecting Biden by downplaying what they view as the depth of the president's unpopularity. '"[3][11][16] It is unclear whether Stavast misunderstood the chant or whether she intentionally misquoted it; a reporter with the Associated Press said that the chant was "at first difficult to make out". As a reminder, this sub is for discussion, memes, and news about leaving the Left, or reasons to do so. [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. A first responder carries a sign reading "Our Body Our Choice Let's Go Brandon" before a press conference about vaccine mandates and first responders at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. STALL: No. "Let's go Brandon" has become a right-wing chant that means, "F**k Joe Biden," though Schmeck later told a local Oregon newspaper he made the remark in a "joking manner." The 35-year-old. The phrase became an internet meme after a TV journalist misinterpreted a crowd's chanted . The phrase began making the rounds in October 2021 following a NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Brandon got his fourth COVID shot. Let's go, Brandon. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [14][1] On the live broadcast, while wearing a headset,[15] reporter Stavast stated, "You can hear the chants from the crowd, 'Let's go, Brandon! In quite possibly the biggest blow to President Trump yet, Twitter permanently suspended his account on Friday. Read about our approach to external linking. On October 2, 2021, at a NASCAR race in Alabama, a driver named Brandon Brown won his first Xfinity Series. [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. But it became increasingly clear they were saying: "F---Joe Biden.". You can find it on T-shirts. in the 1880s over rumors hed fathered an illegitimate child. Arizona Republican Senate candidate Jim Lamon invoked the anti-Biden phrase "Let's go, Brandon" in a campaign ad released on Monday. And this is no different.". And so, "Let's go, Brandon" went viral as an internet meme. Boeing employee bought lottery ticket because it was at $747M, a nod to the aircraft. 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. It started at an Oct. 2 NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Bill Clinton was criticized with such fervor that his most vocal critics were labeled the Clinton crazies.. Retailers such as Culper Precision and My Southern Tactical are selling AR-15 magazines printed with the words Lets Go Brandon., It's been embraced by Republican politicians, NBC News national security and intelligence correspondent Ken Dilanian said on TODAY. The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter', Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, 'Trump or bust' - grassroots Republicans are still loyal. We've got a clip with NBC reporter Kelli Stavast, but we can't play it, right? "[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! "Memes, like political slogans, reinforce community, and neatly outline the boundaries of the in group and out group," says Amarnath Amarasingam, an associate professor of political studies at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada. Brown himself later told The New York Times, "I have zero desire to be involved in politics.". Southwest said in a statement that the airline "takes pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment" and that "behaviour from any individual that is divisive or offensive is not condoned. It just maybe won't have the same level of staying power. His Save America PAC now sells a $45 T-shirt featuring "Lets go Brandon" above an American flag. McWhorter described the Let's Go Brandon phenomenon as "simply fascinating", and a "wild, woolly kink in the intersection of language, politics, wit, and creativity. But who knows how long its shelf life will be, NBC News senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson also reported on TODAY. He's having a good year, I'm kind of happy for him. SIMON: There is Brandon Brown, a champion NASCAR driver - won this month at Talladega. The phrase has burst into the political parlor in the last few months as it is used to criticize the Joe Biden presidency. "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. 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. [6] Similar anti-Biden chants took place during the September 2021 Ryder Cup. But that's not what these slogans are about. The Let's go, Brandon meaning goes back to an October NASCAR race. NASCAR's president said it does not want to be associated with the "Let's Go, Brandon," slogan which is code for a vulgar insult aimed at President Joe Biden. (SOUNDBITE OF BRIAN BLADE SONG, "AFTER THE REVIVAL") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. Let's go Brandon. BILL POSEY: And they're not going to sit back and take it much longer. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. STALL: I think we're maybe just at the start of attempts for that. On October 2, 2021, during a televised interview with the Sparks 300 race winner Brandon Brown at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast incorrectly described the chant in the background as "Let's Go Brandon", which sparked the meme. 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 . And a group chanted "Let's go, Brandon" outside a Virginia park on Monday when Biden made an appearance on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe. We the people. But search engines and moderators would be capable of catching it. "Let's go, Brandon!" has become a popular refrain among US conservatives. A Lets Go Brandon sign appeared at a Boston College vs. Syracuse college football game in early November. It's become a euphemistic insult to the president and has spread widely on social media. But its hidden G-rated camouflage has sparked others to use the saying more than the original expletive-laced chant. "Unless you are living in a cave, you know what it means," he said. A group chanted "Let's go, Brandon" outside a Virginia park when Biden made an appearance on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe. Gov. After a heckler interrupted Gov. SIMON: OK. Four weeks from now, will we know what anybody says - anybody means when they say, Let's Go, Brandon? Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? But its done with a little bit of a class. 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. The phrase was spotted on T-shirts as well as a banner pulled by a plane at Donald Trump's rally at . in the 1880s over rumours he'd fathered an illegitimate child. He later said: They are entitled to be outrageous, this is a democracy. By Anthony Zurcher. "I understand there is a vulgar meaning to 'Let's go, Brandon,' but I'm not that simple-minded, no . Brown unwittingly became entangled in this debacle when he won his first career NASCAR race in October in Alabama. Chants of "Fuck Joe Biden" began during sporting events in early September 2021. "But its done with a little bit of a class. It's a recurring meme on right-wing social media websites. 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. [13] A country rap song of the same name was recorded by Forgiato Blow. [53] In response, investor James Koutoulas threatened a lawsuit against NASCAR, and called for a boycott until the decision was reversed. SIMON: I - do you really think conservatives use Karen to describe a white woman bigot? It's far less polarizing than "(Expletive) Joe Biden.". And a group chanted "Let's go, Brandon" outside a Virginia park on Monday when Biden made an appearance on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe. The exact origin of Karen is unknown, but the meme gained steam during 2020 in the early stages of the . Thank you so much for being with us. Sane people aren't offended by it. Lets Go Brandon is a euphemistic phrase used by critics of US President Joe Biden to mean Fuck Joe Biden.. Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app! There are some who say that part of the popularity of this whole Lets Go Brandon thing comes from people who like using a code to basically troll Democrats. The White House nor the Secret Service responded to NBC News' request for comment. Lets Go Brandon is used by those who oppose US President Joe Biden, often as the hashtag #LetsGoBrandon. A day later, Gov. [2][3] The phrase quickly spread to popular culture, with rap songs using the phrase placing high on record charts. After the broadcast, the phrase Lets Go Brandon and the hashtag #LetsGoBrandon quickly became popular with opponents of Joe Biden, including some Republican members of Congress, who began to use the phrase when criticizing the president. Republican politicians wear masks with the phrase. [62] Several White House officials, members of the Biden team, as well as U.S. Let's go, Brandon!". "But its done with a little bit of a class. 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 listening. What does 'Let's Go Brandon' mean? The phrase has also been used by multiple politicians, including Texas Gov. ", Veteran GOP ad maker Jim Innocenzi had no qualms about the coded crudity, calling it "hilarious. And . Senator Chris Murphy, made posts referencing "Dark Brandon" on social media. [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. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Brown, or the "real Brandon," drives for a short-staffed, underfunded NASCAR team owned by his father. You have one Republican aide who described the phrase to NBC News as an annoying boomer meme that's getting past its due date. Well see.. "[33][34], At the 2022 White House Correspondents' Dinner, Biden acknowledged the phrase by joking, "Republicans seem to support one fella, some guy named Brandon. The biggest difference, though, between the sentiments hurled at the Grover Clevelands of yore and modern politicians is the amplification they get on social media. [66], The slogan posted on a sign at a saloon in Jarbidge, Nevada, An automobile with the slogan written on the rear glass, parked in The Villages, Florida. Either way, the phrase "Let's go, Brandon!" Let's go Brandon. And if you object and are taking it too seriously, go away.