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{{Short description|American political slogan coined in 2021}}{{For|the 2021 song by Loza Alexander|Let's Go Brandon (song)}}
'''Let's Go Brandon!''' is a [[slogan]] and [[internet meme]] used as a euphemism for "Fuck Joe Biden" in reference to [[Joe Biden|US. President Joe Biden]]. It was primarily used when [[NASCAR]] driver [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]] was being interviewed live on camera in front of a crowd chanting “fuck Joe Biden,” which the NBC anchor [[Kelli Stavast]] misheard it as supportive chants of “Let’s Go Brandon” thinking it was for Brown after his win.


{{pp|small=yes}}
After the interview's video became viral, people started to create different memes with the phrase and post them on [[social media]]. Brown has commented he was finding some humor in his name becoming a new slogan. He wrote on Twitter: "To all the other Brandons out there, you're welcome! Let's go us."
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
[[File:Let's Go Brandon Florida house.jpg|300px|thumb|A "Let's Go Brandon" sign outside a Florida residence]]


"'''Let's Go Brandon'''" is a [[List of political slogans|political slogan]] and [[Internet meme]] used as a euphemism for the phrase "'''Fuck Joe Biden'''" in reference to [[Joe Biden]], the 46th and current [[president of the United States]].
==Background==

Before this new slogan took off, protestors were shouting the original 'F*** Joe Biden' chant at sports events all over the country, including the New York Jets game against the Tennessee Titans at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on October 3. The chant was even heard at the Ryder Cup in September, and has earned its own hashtag #FJB.
[[Chant]]s of "Fuck Joe Biden" began during sporting events in early September 2021. On October 2, 2021, during a televised interview with the [[2021 Sparks 300|Sparks 300]] race winner [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|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.<ref name="Schwedel 10-22-21"/> The slogan has become well known through use by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] politicians and critics of Biden.<ref name="WaPo 10-23-21"/><ref name="Delkic 10-31-2021"/> The phrase quickly spread to popular culture, with rap songs using the phrase placing high on [[record chart]]s.<!--No citations are required in the article lead per [[MOS:LEADCITE]], as long as the content is cited in the article body, as it should be. Do not add tags for "missing citations" in the lead. If necessary, {{not verified in body}} can be used, or the content removed.-->
===Trump Rallies==

===Music Video===
===Canadian Memo===
==Origins==
===Background: Anti-Biden chants===
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/college-students-chant-fk-joe-biden-at-football-games|website=[[Fox News]]|title=College students chant 'F--- Joe Biden' at football games|date=September 12, 2021|author=O'Neil, Tyler|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030151632/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/college-students-chant-fk-joe-biden-at-football-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Palmer|first1=Ewan|title='F**K Joe Biden' Chants Break Out at College Football Games Across the Country|url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-chants-break-college-football-games-country-1626438|website=Newsweek|date=September 6, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014010608/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-chants-break-college-football-games-country-1626438|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, the phenomenon spread to other universities, including the [[University of Wyoming]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fike|first1=Ellen|title=University Of Wyoming Football Attendees Chant "F— Joe Biden" During Saturday Game|url=https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/09/20/university-of-wyoming-football-attendees-chant-f-k-joe-biden-during-saturday-game|work=Cowboy State Daily|access-date=October 23, 2021|date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024011206/https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/09/20/university-of-wyoming-football-attendees-chant-f-k-joe-biden-during-saturday-game|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar anti-Biden chants took place during the September [[2021 Ryder Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lock|first=Samantha|date=27 September 2021|title='F*** Joe Biden' Chant Breaks Out at Ryder Cup as U.S. Beat Europe|work=[[Newsweek]]|url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-chant-ryder-cup-us-beat-europe-1632890|access-date=November 2, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102210326/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-chant-ryder-cup-us-beat-europe-1632890|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ricker|first=Don|date=4 October 2021|title=NBC NASCAR Reporter Kelli Stavast's Response To Anti-Joe Biden Chant Is Hilarious|work=[[HuffPost]]|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kelli-stavast-nascar-brandon-brown-anti-joe-biden-chant_n_615ae3fee4b008640eb6b5a8|access-date=November 2, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103053639/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kelli-stavast-nascar-brandon-brown-anti-joe-biden-chant_n_615ae3fee4b008640eb6b5a8|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''[[Washington Examiner]]'' reported that "Fuck Joe Biden" was chanted by some attendees at a [[Megadeth]] concert in September 2021,<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Matthew|date=September 20, 2021|title=Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine slams COVID-19 restrictions during concert: 'This is called tyranny'|url=https://news.yahoo.com/megadeth-frontman-dave-mustaine-slams-223700089.html|access-date=October 4, 2021|work=Washington Examiner|publisher=Yahoo News|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006195628/https://news.yahoo.com/megadeth-frontman-dave-mustaine-slams-223700089.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and at an October 2021 protest in response to a [[COVID-19 vaccination mandates in the United States|vaccine mandate]] for educators in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gentile|first=Luke|date=October 4, 2021|title=Protesters chant 'f*** Joe Biden and de Blasio' as thousands of teachers lose work due to vaccine mandate|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/protesters-joe-biden-chant-de-blasio-vaccine|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=Washington Examiner|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006094612/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/protesters-joe-biden-chant-de-blasio-vaccine|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Initial use===
[[File:Let's Go Brandon.webm|upright|thumb|The portion of the Brandon Brown interview in which the crowd chants "Fuck Joe Biden", and the interviewer says, "Let's go, Brandon"]]
[[File:Brandon brown (51382017277) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Race car driver [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]] in October 2021]]

On October 2, 2021, racing driver [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]] was being interviewed by [[NBC Sports]] reporter [[Kelli Stavast]] at the [[Talladega Superspeedway]] in [[Lincoln, Alabama]], following his [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]] victory in the [[2021 Sparks 300]], which was shortened due to darkness.<ref name="Long 10-30-2021">{{cite news|last1=Long|first1=Colleen|title=How 'Let's Go Brandon' became code for insulting Joe Biden|url=https://apnews.com/ab13db212067928455a3dba07756a160|access-date=October 30, 2021|work=Associated Press|date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030055331/https://apnews.com/ab13db212067928455a3dba07756a160|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bremner 10-21"/> Fans were chanting "Fuck Joe Biden",<ref name="nymag">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/10/anti-biden-song-lets-go-brandon-is-a-shadow-smash.html|work=New York Magazine|title=How the Anti-Biden Song "Let's Go Brandon" Became a Shadow Smash|last=Stieb|first=Matt|date=October 29, 2021|access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029202937/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/10/anti-biden-song-lets-go-brandon-is-a-shadow-smash.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and this became audible to viewers of the broadcast.<ref name="Zurcher 10-12-21">{{cite web|last1=Zurcher|first1=Anthony|title=How 'Let's go Brandon' became an anti-Biden conservative heckle|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58878473|publisher=BBC|access-date=October 21, 2021|date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021075952/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58878473|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Schwedel 10-22-21"/> On the live broadcast, while wearing a headset,<ref name="Fryer 2021"/> reporter Stavast stated, "You can hear the chants from the crowd, 'Let's go, Brandon!{{' "}}<ref name="Delkic 10-31-2021">{{cite news|last1=Delkic|first1=Melina|title=Why a Pilot Is Under Investigation for Saying 'Let's Go Brandon'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/31/us/lets-go-brandon-southwest-airlines.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/31/us/lets-go-brandon-southwest-airlines.html|archive-date=2021-12-28|url-access=limited|access-date=1 November 2021|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 31, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Long 10-30-2021"/><ref name="Suliman 10-31-2021">{{cite news|last1=Suliman|first1=Adela|title=Southwest Airlines to investigate pilot's purported anti-Biden chant|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/10/31/southwest-airlines-pilot-anti-biden-chant|access-date=October 31, 2021|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123848/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/10/31/southwest-airlines-pilot-anti-biden-chant|url-status=live}}</ref> As of December 2023, Stavast has not clarified if she misunderstood the chant or intentionally misquoted it. A reporter with the [[Associated Press]] said that the chant was "at first difficult to make out".<ref name="Long 10-30-2021"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Oscar|title='Let's go Brandon': The misquote that became a Joe Biden insult|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lets-go-brandon-the-misquote-that-became-a-joe-biden-insult|access-date=2021-11-25|website=CNET|language=en|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123152551/https://www.cnet.com/news/lets-go-brandon-the-misquote-that-became-a-joe-biden-insult|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early spread and reactions===
Footage of the interview went [[viral video|viral]],<ref name="Schwedel 10-22-21"/> leading to the adoption of the phrase by critics of [[Joe Biden|President Biden]] as an expression of antipathy toward him.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lahut|first=Jake|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lets-go-brandon-challenge-definition-origin-reach-drdisrespect-youtube-stream-2021-10|title=The anti-Biden 'let's go Brandon' chant made its way to a top video game streamer's channel|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=October 27, 2021|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030051330/https://www.businessinsider.com/lets-go-brandon-challenge-definition-origin-reach-drdisrespect-youtube-stream-2021-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WaPo 10-23-21"/><ref name="Zurcher 10-12-21"/> It has also been reported as a protest against perceived liberal [[media bias|bias in mainstream media]], based on speculation that the reporter's description of the crowd's chant was intended to conceal anti-Biden sentiment.<ref name="WaPo 10-23-21"/><ref name="Zurcher 10-12-21"/>

[[Conservatism in the United States|Conservative]] commentators [[Ben Shapiro]] and [[Tomi Lahren]] spread the phrase via [[Twitter]].<ref name="Lahut 10-21-21">{{cite web|last1=Lahut|first1=Jake|date=October 13, 2021|title='Let's go, Brandon': The right's new anti-Biden chant comes from a NASCAR broadcast where NBC Sports didn't want to drop an f-bomb|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lets-go-brandon-chant-origin-video-what-does-it-mean-2021-10|access-date=October 21, 2021|work=[[Business Insider]]|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020081534/https://www.businessinsider.com/lets-go-brandon-chant-origin-video-what-does-it-mean-2021-10|url-status=live}}</ref> The slogan has been printed on clothing, a billboard, and a banner flown behind a plane over a pro-[[Donald Trump]] rally in Iowa.<ref name="Bremner 10-21">{{cite news|last1=Bremner|first1=Jade|title=Why are MAGA supporters chanting 'Let's Go Brandon' to mock Democrats?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019130436/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 [[Easy on Me|new single]] into third place."<ref name="Bremner 10-21"/>

As the phrase began to increase in use, Brandon Brown found the phrase amusing<ref name="just wants to drive"/> and tweeted: "To all the other Brandons out there, You're welcome! Let's go us".<ref name="Schwedel 10-22-21">{{cite news|last1=Schwedel|first1=Heather|title=The Story Behind "Let's Go Brandon," the Secretly Vulgar Chant Suddenly Beloved by Republicans|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/10/lets-go-brandon-meaning-nascar-republicans-joe-biden.html|access-date=October 24, 2021|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|date=October 22, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024021636/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/10/lets-go-brandon-meaning-nascar-republicans-joe-biden.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In private, he was ambivalent about the phrase because it overshadowed his Talladega win and threatened to scare off corporate sponsors leery of controversy.<ref name="just wants to drive">{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=December 19, 2021|title=Brandon Just Wants to Drive His Racecar|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/business/brandon-brown-lets-go-brandon.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/business/brandon-brown-lets-go-brandon.html|archive-date=2021-12-28|url-access=limited|access-date=December 19, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He planned to ignore the phrase, but later worried that his silence was perceived as a tacit endorsement of the sentiment.<ref name="just wants to drive"/> 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.<ref name="Long 10-30-2021"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Fambro|first=Cassie|url=https://patch.com/north-carolina/charlotte/nascars-brandon-brown-seeks-distance-vulgar-biden-chant|title='Let's Go Brandon' Crowd Pinching Real Brandon's Pocketbook|website=[[Patch (website)|Patch]]|date=November 4, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210190804/https://patch.com/north-carolina/charlotte/nascars-brandon-brown-seeks-distance-vulgar-biden-chant|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="just wants to drive"/> Brown took a more mixed stance in an op-ed for ''[[Newsweek]]'', in which he said he was "not going to endorse anyone" or be silent about issues important to him.<ref name="my name is brandon">{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Brandon|date=December 20, 2021|title=My Name Is Brandon|url=https://www.newsweek.com/my-name-brandon-opinion-1660525|access-date=December 25, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222222757/https://www.newsweek.com/my-name-brandon-opinion-1660525|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Fryer 2021">{{cite news|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-entertainment-sports-business-united-states-f9bb6c6cb77a78f1302f4f08640cc973|title=NASCAR denounces 'Let's go, Brandon' conservative rally cry|work=Associated Press|date=2021-11-05|access-date=2021-11-05|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106031202/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-entertainment-sports-business-united-states-f9bb6c6cb77a78f1302f4f08640cc973|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Usage==
===Analysis===
Linguist [[John McWhorter]] analyzed the linguistic attributes of the chant in ''[[The Atlantic]]'', likening the use of "Brandon" to a ''[[hlonipha]]'' {{endash}} a substitution of a forbidden word. He wrote that the anti-Biden euphemism has a similar tone to the word [[SNAFU]], which stands for "Situation Normal – All Fucked Up", or to the word "[[cuckservative]]s" (a [[portmanteau]] of "[[cuckold]]" and "[[Conservatism in the United States|conservatives]]") which is used by some [[American nationalism|nationalist]]s or [[paleoconservative]]s to describe neoconservatives perceived as being in fact [[liberalism|liberals]]. 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."<ref>{{cite news|last=McWhorter|first=John|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/lets-go-brandon-biden-linguistics/620652|title=The Serendipity of 'Let's Go, Brandon'|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=2021-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110230556/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/lets-go-brandon-biden-linguistics/620652|archive-date=2021-11-10|access-date=2021-11-11}}</ref>

<!--Although "Thank you, Brandon" is not a notable meme, it has been included here for the purpose of comparison with "Let's Go Brandon"-->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".<ref>{{cite news|author=The Editorial Board|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/11/20/Let-s-go-Brandon-isn-t-clever-it-s-vulgar/stories/202111200013|title='Let's go Brandon' isn't clever, it's vulgar|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=2021-11-20|access-date=2021-11-22|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121005933/https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/11/20/Let-s-go-Brandon-isn-t-clever-it-s-vulgar/stories/202111200013|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. 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."<ref>{{cite news|last=Thiessen|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Thiessen|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/23/three-cheers-lets-go-brandon|title=Opinion: Three cheers for 'Let's Go Brandon'|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2021-11-23|access-date=2021-11-30|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130200155/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/23/three-cheers-lets-go-brandon|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Politics===
[[File:Bill Posey speaking, 2021-10-21.webm|thumb|Congressman [[Bill Posey]]'s October 21, 2021, speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, which he concludes with "Let's go Brandon"]]
[[File:CPAC 2022 con Hermann Tertsch y Victor Gonzalez. (51915315856).jpg|thumb|Attendees at the 2022 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] wearing "Let's Go Brandon" hats in which the font on the cap is designed to imitate [[:File:Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign logo.svg|the font used in Joe Biden's 2020 campaign logo]]]]
[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican politicians]] have used the phrase publicly. On October 21, 2021, Republican congressman [[Bill Posey]] concluded remarks on the House floor with "Let's go, Brandon".<ref name="WaPo 10-23-21">{{cite news|first1=Ashley|last1=Parker|first2=Carissa|last2=Wolf|title=Biden's critics hurl increasingly vulgar taunts|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-vulgar-signs-chants/2021/10/22/6071836e-3122-11ec-a880-a9d8c009a0b1_story.html|access-date=October 23, 2021|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023103033/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-vulgar-signs-chants/2021/10/22/6071836e-3122-11ec-a880-a9d8c009a0b1_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Governor of Texas|Texas Governor]] [[Greg Abbott]] used the phrase in an October 22 tweet.<ref name="Breslin-2021-10-28">{{cite news|first=Maureen|last=Breslin|date=October 28, 2021|title=Trump campaign sells 'Let's Go Brandon' T-shirts|url=https://thehill.com/media/579039-trump-campaign-sells-lets-go-brandon-t-shirts?rl=1|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029135059/https://thehill.com/media/579039-trump-campaign-sells-lets-go-brandon-t-shirts?rl=1|url-status=live}}</ref> He attributed the popularity of the phrase to frustration with Biden's "disastrous policies", including his handling of the [[COVID-19 policy of the Joe Biden administration|COVID-19 pandemic]] and the [[Mexico–United States border crisis#Biden administration|southern border]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/abbott-lets-go-brandon-breitbart-interview/269-6ce5cfcc-ee6e-41a2-9c18-f452e549505e|title=Gov. Greg Abbott tweets anti-Biden phrase alongside clip from Breitbart interview|date=October 22, 2021|last=Eubank|first=Britny|work=KVUE ABC|access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029014757/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/abbott-lets-go-brandon-breitbart-interview/269-6ce5cfcc-ee6e-41a2-9c18-f452e549505e|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, Republican representative [[Jeff Duncan (politician)|Jeff Duncan]] wore a [[Cloth face mask|face mask]] with the phrase printed on it on the House floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/gop-lawmaker-wears-lets-go-brandon-mask-on-the-house-floor|last=Chamlee|first=Virginia|date=October 27, 2021|title=GOP Lawmaker Wears 'Let's Go Brandon' Mask on House Floor in Barely Veiled Swipe at President Biden|work=People|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101033932/https://people.com/politics/gop-lawmaker-wears-lets-go-brandon-mask-on-the-house-floor|url-status=live}}</ref> Senator [[Ted Cruz]] posed with a "Let's Go Brandon" sign that was hung in [[Houston]] at the [[2021 World Series]].<ref name="Long 10-30-2021"/> Later in 2021, a rapidly increasing number of national Republican politicians explicitly supported or referred to the phrase.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chaitin|first=Daniel|date=November 2, 2021|title='Let's go Brandon' chant breaks out at Youngkin headquarters as victory looks assured|website=washingtonexaminer.com|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/lets-go-brandon-chant-breaks-out-at-youngkin-hq-as-victory-looks-assured|access-date=November 3, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103035718/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/lets-go-brandon-chant-breaks-out-at-youngkin-hq-as-victory-looks-assured|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Leach|first=Matt|date=November 18, 2021|title=Florida Gov. DeSantis trolls President Biden, will sign bills limiting vaccine mandates in Brandon, FL|publisher=[[Fox News]]|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-desantis-trolls-president-biden-brandon-vaccine-mandates|access-date=November 18, 2021|archive-date=November 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118164940/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-desantis-trolls-president-biden-brandon-vaccine-mandates|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Demopoulos|first=Alaina|date=2021-11-05|title=Lauren Boebert's 'Let's Go Brandon' Dress Screams Prom Villain|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/lauren-boeberts-lets-go-brandon-dress-is-predictably-terrible|access-date=2021-11-05|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214736/https://www.thedailybeast.com/lauren-boeberts-lets-go-brandon-dress-is-predictably-terrible|url-status=live}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite news|last=Schwartz|first=Ian|date=2021-11-12|title=Psaki Asked About Let's Go Brandon: I Don't Think Biden "Spends Much Time Focused On It Or Thinking About It"|work=[[RealClearPolitics]]|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2021/11/12/psaki_asked_about_lets_go_brandon_i_dont_think_biden_spends_much_time_focused_on_it_or_thinking_about_it.html|access-date=2021-11-16|archive-date=November 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116201731/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2021/11/12/psaki_asked_about_lets_go_brandon_i_dont_think_biden_spends_much_time_focused_on_it_or_thinking_about_it.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

While Biden and First Lady [[Jill Biden]] were taking phone calls for [[NORAD Tracks Santa|NORAD's Santa tracker]] hotline on December 24, 2021, a caller ended his chat by saying, "Merry Christmas and let's go Brandon," to which Biden smiled and responded, "Let's go Brandon, I agree."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/president-biden-trolled-lets-go-brandon-santa-tracking-broadcast-1663074|title=Joe Biden Says He Agrees After Christmas Caller Tells Him 'Let's Go Brandon'|website=Newsweek|date=December 24, 2021|access-date=December 25, 2021|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225195143/https://www.newsweek.com/president-biden-trolled-lets-go-brandon-santa-tracking-broadcast-1663074|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Nzanga|first=Merdie|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/santa-tracking-call-biden-is-told-lets-go-brandon-says-he-agrees-2021-12-24|title=On Santa tracking call, Biden is told 'Let's go Brandon' – and says he agrees|work=[[Reuters]]|date=2021-12-25|accessdate=2021-12-25|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225191956/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/santa-tracking-call-biden-is-told-lets-go-brandon-says-he-agrees-2021-12-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the 2022 [[White House Correspondents' Association#White House Correspondents' dinner|White House Correspondents' Dinner]], Biden acknowledged the phrase by joking, "Republicans seem to support one fella, some guy named Brandon. He's having a good year, I'm kind of happy for him."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=2022-05-01|title=Joe Biden Rips Fox News Hypocrisy, Mocks Low Polls, Praises Trevor Noah & Shows WHCD He Gets "Let's Go, Brandon!"|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/kim-kardashian-joe-biden-trevor-noah-white-house-correspondents-dinner-remarks-review-1235013792|access-date=2022-05-01|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501223932/https://deadline.com/2022/04/kim-kardashian-joe-biden-trevor-noah-white-house-correspondents-dinner-remarks-review-1235013792|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2022, Colorado state representative [[Dave Williams (Colorado politician)|Dave Williams]] [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 5|ran for the House of Representatives]] and attempted to be listed on the ballot under the name "Dave 'Let's Go Brandon' Williams". [[Colorado Secretary of State]] [[Jena Griswold]] denied Williams' request under the reasoning that "Let's go Brandon" is a slogan and not a nickname. Williams sued, with former Colorado Secretary of State [[Scott Gessler]] acting as his attorney.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/19/colorado-ballot-congressional-candidate-lets-go-brandon|title=Congressional candidate sues to have "Let's Go Brandon" as a nickname on Colorado ballot|date=April 19, 2022|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|first=Nick|last=Coltrain|access-date=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420190124/https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/19/colorado-ballot-congressional-candidate-lets-go-brandon|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Denver District Judge Andrew McCallin agreed with Williams that he had successfully proved that he used "Let's go Brandon" as his nickname, the judge ultimately ruled that Secretary of State Griswold acted within her authority in denying Williams the use of the nickname on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/04/28/lets-go-brandon-colorado-candidate|title=Congressional candidate loses bid to go by 'Let's Go Brandon' on ballot|date=April 28, 2022|first=Jonathan|last=Edwards|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|access-date=July 22, 2022|archive-date=April 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428111110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/04/28/lets-go-brandon-colorado-candidate|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams attempted to appeal the verdict to the [[Colorado Supreme Court]], but the court refused to hear his appeal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Colorado Supreme Court says Lamborn challenger Dave Williams can't use 'Let's Go Brandon' on ballot|url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/elections/2022/colorado-supreme-court-says-lamborn-challenger-dave-williams-cant-use-lets-go-brandon-on-ballot/article_46f14852-c74a-11ec-9f4a-3b4819be666f.html|date=April 29, 2022|first=Ernest|last=Luning|access-date=July 22, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604185038/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/elections/2022/colorado-supreme-court-says-lamborn-challenger-dave-williams-cant-use-lets-go-brandon-on-ballot/article_46f14852-c74a-11ec-9f4a-3b4819be666f.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The phrase has been used on bumper stickers supporting [[Brandon Presley]], a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate for [[Governor of Mississippi]] [[2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election|in 2023]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ganucheau|first=Adam|date=2023-01-12|title=Democrat Brandon Presley is running for governor|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2023/01/12/brandon-presley-governor-campaign|access-date=2023-01-22|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Music===
Soon after the chant went viral, an anti-Biden rap song called "[[Let's Go Brandon (song)|Let's Go Brandon]]" was recorded by Loza Alexander.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Romero|first1=Julia|title=Las Vegas rapper's song inspired by 'Let's go Brandon' meme, skyrockets on iTunes|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-rappers-song-inspired-by-lets-go-brandon-meme-skyrockets-on-itunes|publisher=[[KLAS-TV]]|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=October 24, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024033700/https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-rappers-song-inspired-by-lets-go-brandon-meme-skyrockets-on-itunes|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Stunson 10-18-21">{{cite web|last1=Stunson|first1=Mike|date=October 18, 2021|title='Let's Go Brandon' started as a Republican rally cry – now it's topping iTunes charts|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article255093152.html|access-date=October 21, 2021|work=[[Miami Herald]]|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021010929/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article255093152.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rogers|first1=Zachary|date=October 18, 2021|title=#1 hip-hop song on iTunes chart, "Let's Go, Brandon" inspired by anti-Biden meme|url=https://local12.com/news/nation-world/1-hip-hop-song-on-itunes-chart-lets-go-brandon-inspired-by-anti-biden-meme-music-rapper-rap-loza-alexander-lets-go-brandon-president-joe|access-date=October 21, 2021|publisher=[[WKRC-TV]]|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020082230/https://local12.com/news/nation-world/1-hip-hop-song-on-itunes-chart-lets-go-brandon-inspired-by-anti-biden-meme-music-rapper-rap-loza-alexander-lets-go-brandon-president-joe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lynch|first1=John|date=October 19, 2021|title=Let's Go Brandon: What does it mean?|publisher=[[WTRF-TV]]|url=https://www.wtrf.com/news/national-news/lets-go-brandon-what-does-it-mean|access-date=October 24, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021103331/https://www.wtrf.com/news/national-news/lets-go-brandon-what-does-it-mean|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexander's song reached number 38 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for the week of November 6, 2021.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-11-06|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|access-date=November 2, 2021|date=November 6, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102140550/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-11-06|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another song with the same title was released by [[Bryson Gray]], a conservative Christian rapper, reaching number one on iTunes.<ref name="nymag"/> It debuted at number 28 on the US Hot 100.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=billboardcharts|number=1455247452035063811|title=@RealBrysonGray's "Let's Go Brandon," featuring @Tyson_James_ & @realCCrump, debuts at No. 28 on this week's #Hot100.|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> The music video for Gray's song, which included the line "Biden said the jab stop the spread, it was lies" (in reference to [[COVID-19 vaccination]] efforts by Biden) was taken down by YouTube for containing "medical misinformation".<ref name="nymag"/> A [[country rap]] song of the same name was recorded by [[Forgiato Blow]].<ref name="nymag"/> On October 27, iTunes had different "Let's Go Brandon" recordings at numbers one, two,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|title=Why are MAGA supporters chanting 'Let's Go Brandon' to mock Democrats?|website=The Independent|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019130436/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|url-status=live}}</ref> four and eight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-100-songs.php|title=iTunes Top 100 Songs Chart|website=PopVortex|date=October 27, 2021|access-date=October 28, 2021|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027200734/http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-100-songs.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 25, 2022, [[Kid Rock]] released a single, "We the People", in which he attacks the [[News media|media]], Dr. [[Anthony Fauci]], masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and [[Big Tech]], and which features the chant "Let's go Brandon" in the chorus.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Matthew|url=https://gazette.com/news/listen-kid-rocks-new-single-chants-lets-go-brandon-blasting-fauci-and-big-tech/article_523e681c-39e6-540f-bce6-8c097fcc03e9.html|title=LISTEN: Kid Rock|work=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)]]|publisher=[[Washington Examiner]]|date=2022-01-25|accessdate=2022-01-25|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125205209/https://gazette.com/news/listen-kid-rocks-new-single-chants-lets-go-brandon-blasting-fauci-and-big-tech/article_523e681c-39e6-540f-bce6-8c097fcc03e9.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Aniftos|first1=Rania|title=Kid Rock Chants 'Let's Go Brandon,' Slams Joe Biden & Dr. Fauci in New Song|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kid-rock-we-the-people-anti-biden-song-1235022971|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|access-date=2022-01-31|date=25 January 2022|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201184313/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kid-rock-we-the-people-anti-biden-song-1235022971|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Brandon Brown sponsorship===
In early November, a right-wing<ref name="Seitz_4/8/2022"/> [[ERC20]] token called "LGBcoin" (LGB) began trading,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/economy/lets-go-brandon-cryptocurrency-sees-massive-boom|website=Washington Examiner|title='Let's go Brandon' cryptocurrency sees massive boom|date=November 15, 2021|author=Gentile, Luke|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116081023/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/economy/lets-go-brandon-cryptocurrency-sees-massive-boom|url-status=live}}</ref> and on December 30, 2021, LGBcoin announced that it would be sponsoring [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]]'s [[Brandonbilt Motorsports]] for the [[2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series]] season.<ref>{{cite web|author=|title=Cryptocurrency Meme Coin LGBcoin.io Announced as Full Season Primary Partner for Brandonbilt Motorsports|url=https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/xfinity-series-news/66412-cryptocurrency-meme-coin-lgbcoin-io-announced-as-full-season-primary-partner-for-brandonbilt-motorsports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230185744/https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/xfinity-series-news/66412-cryptocurrency-meme-coin-lgbcoin-io-announced-as-full-season-primary-partner-for-brandonbilt-motorsports|archive-date=December 30, 2021|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Speedway Digest|date=December 30, 2021 |language=en-gb}}</ref> Brandonbilt's spokesman told [[Fox Business]] that approval was received on December 26,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sabes|first=Adam|date=January 2, 2022|title=NASCAR walks back 'Let's Go Brandon' sponsorship approval, Brandon Brown spokesperson says|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/nascar-walks-back-lets-go-brandon-sponsorship-approval-brandon-brown-spokesperson-says|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103015909/https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/nascar-walks-back-lets-go-brandon-sponsorship-approval-brandon-brown-spokesperson-says|archive-date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=Fox Business}}</ref> but on January 5, 2022, [[FOX Sports]] journalist [[Bob Pockrass]] reported that [[NASCAR]] had not approved the sponsorship.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 5, 2022|title=Cryptocurrency Meme Coin LGBcoin.io Serving as Primary Partner for Brandonbilt Motorsports in 2022 UPDATES|url=https://www.jayski.com/2022/01/02/cryptocurrency-meme-coin-lgbcoin-io-serving-as-primary-partner-for-brandonbilt-motorsports-in-2022|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105103029/https://www.jayski.com/2022/01/02/cryptocurrency-meme-coin-lgbcoin-io-serving-as-primary-partner-for-brandonbilt-motorsports-in-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, investor James Koutoulas threatened a lawsuit against NASCAR, and called for a boycott until the decision was reversed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ismail|first=Adam|date=January 5, 2022|title=NASCAR Rejects "Let's Go Brandon" Crypto Sponsorship, Team Pledges To Fight Back|url=https://jalopnik.com/nascar-rejects-lets-go-brandon-crypto-sponsorship-te-1848306815|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106193813/https://jalopnik.com/nascar-rejects-lets-go-brandon-crypto-sponsorship-te-1848306815|archive-date=January 6, 2022|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Jalopnik|language=en-us}}</ref>

In February 2022, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit|U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals]] ruled in a lawsuit against [[Bitconnect]] that the [[Securities Act of 1933]] extends to [[Targeted advertising|targeted solicitation]] using [[Influencer marketing|social media]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lawler|first=Richard|date=February 18, 2022|title=Influencers beware: promoting the wrong crypto could mean facing a class-action lawsuit|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718010038/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2022, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida by plaintiff Eric De Ford against the LGBcoin cryptocurrency company and its promoters Brandon Brown, [[NASCAR]], and political commentator [[Candace Owens]]. The plaintiff alleges they made [[False statements of fact|false]] or [[False advertising|misleading statements]] about the LGBcoin in a [[pump and dump]] scheme.<ref name="Seitz_4/8/2022">{{cite news|last=Seitz|first=Jacob|date=April 8, 2022|title='Let's Go Brandon' Coin: NASCAR, Brandon Brown, Candace Owens sued for promoting failed crypto in pump-and-dump scheme|website=[[The Daily Dot]]|url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/lets-go-brandon-coin-lawsuit-nascar|access-date=July 12, 2022|archive-date=July 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713193550/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/lets-go-brandon-coin-lawsuit-nascar|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other===
In 2022, a then-nine-year-old [[autistic]] boy named Brandon Brundidge saw a sign with the phrase; not knowing the political meaning, he assumed they were supporting him. It inspired him to try swimming and biking without training wheels. His mother, [[Sheletta Brundidge]], wrote a book called ''Brandon Spots His Sign'', and they later met Brandon Brown.<ref>{{cite web |author=AJ Willingham |date=July 17, 2022 |title=How an author, a NASCAR star and a young boy flipped 'Let's Go Brandon' on its head |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/17/us/lets-go-brandon-brundidge-nascar-book-good-news-cec/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717094459/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/17/us/lets-go-brandon-brundidge-nascar-book-good-news-cec/index.html |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=edition.cnn.com |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Danielle|last=Campoamor|date=June 13, 2022|title=How the phrase 'Let's go Brandon' made a little boy with autism feel loved|url=https://www.today.com/parents/parents/phrase-go-brandon-made-one-little-boy-autism-feel-loved-rcna33287|access-date=October 4, 2022|website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|archive-date=June 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613200314/https://www.today.com/parents/parents/phrase-go-brandon-made-one-little-boy-autism-feel-loved-rcna33287|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Dark Brandon==
[[File:Dark Brandon.jpg|thumb|upright|"Dark Brandon" imagery<ref name="DB">{{cite web |author1=Joe Biden |author1-link=Joe Biden |title=Joe Biden - Just like we drew it up. |url=https://archive.org/details/joe-biden-just-like-we-drew-it-up |website=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=@JoeBiden |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240212045028/https://archive.org/details/joe-biden-just-like-we-drew-it-up |archive-date=12 February 2024 |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |format=[[Archive]] in a [[digital library]] |date=11 February 2024 |quote=At 10:50 P.M. EST on February 11, 2024, the [[President of the United States]], [[Joe Biden]], posted this photo on [[Twitter|𝕏]] (formerly known as [[Twitter]]) along with the caption "Just like we drew it up." In the ALT text on the image it said: "dark brandon". |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
The phrase "'''Dark Brandon'''" was initially a meme created by online [[Progressivism in the United States|progressives]] to parody supporters of "Dark [[Make America Great Again|MAGA]]", a belief promoted by former U.S. representative [[Madison Cawthorn]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reimann |first=Nicholas |date=2022-05-19 |title=Madison Cawthorn Calls For Rise Of 'Dark MAGA' In Wild Rant After Loss |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/05/19/madison-cawthorn-calls-for-rise-of-dark-maga-in-wild-rant-after-loss/ |access-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> that former president Trump would return to power "with a vengeance".<ref name="VanityFair">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/08/the-dark-brandon-joe-biden-meme-has-made-its-way-into-the-white-house|title=The "Dark Brandon Joe Biden Meme Has Made Its Way Into the White House|magazine=Vanity Fair|last1=Klein|first1=Charlotte|date=August 8, 2022|accessdate=September 1, 2022}}</ref> It copies the "[[fashwave]]" aesthetic used initially by [[Online political activism|online supporters]] of figures like Donald Trump or [[Ron DeSantis]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=DeSantis campaign fires aide behind neo-Nazi meme video |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/desantis-nazi-video-nate-hochman-b2381890.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Varkiani |first1=Adrienne Mahsa |last2=Otten |first2=Tori |last3=Otten |first3=Tori |last4=Segers |first4=Grace |last5=Otten |first5=Tori |last6=Otten |first6=Tori |last7=Varkiani |first7=Adrienne Mahsa |last8=Otten |first8=Tori |last9=Varkiani |first9=Adrienne Mahsa |date=2022-11-01 |title=Team DeSantis Created That Weird Meme Video With the Giant Nazi Symbol |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/174753/its-confirmed-team-desantis-created-video-giant-nazi-symbol |access-date=2024-02-26 |magazine=The New Republic |issn=0028-6583}}</ref>

In September 2022, the phrase was used to mock Biden and compare him to [[Adolf Hitler]], during his [[Battle for the Soul of the Nation speech]] on Trump and his supporters.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Glasser|first=Susan B.|date=2022-09-02|title=Joe Biden's This-Is-Not-Normal Speech on the Rising Danger of MAGA Trumpists|language=en-US|magazine=The New Yorker|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-bidens-washington/joe-bidens-this-is-not-normal-speech|access-date=2023-07-27|issn=0028-792X}}</ref> During the speech, TV cameras framed Biden in front of a background illuminated by red lighting, along with two uniformed Marines on either side, with ''[[The Guardian]]'' calling it "dark", and ''[[New York Magazine]]'' saying the speech prompted "numerous comparisons of Biden to Hitler and Satan".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Maanvi |date=2022-09-02 |title=Biden speech: 'Democracy is under assault' from election deniers and political violence, president warns - as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/sep/01/joe-biden-set-to-address-threat-to-american-democracy-in-primetime-speech |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Danner |first=Chas |date=2022-09-06 |title=A Guide to the Tortured Debate Over Biden's Big Democracy Speech |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/09/a-guide-to-the-intense-debate-over-bidens-democracy-speech.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Intelligencer |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]}}</ref>

The term was soon comically adopted by Biden's supporters and used in memes to support Biden's presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Monaghan|first=Bridget|date=2022-08-04|title='Dark Brandon' is the one meme that Biden supporters can finally embrace|url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/dark-brandon-meme-joe-biden|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804125036/https://www.indy100.com/viral/dark-brandon-meme-joe-biden|archive-date=August 4, 2022|access-date=2022-08-06|website=indy100|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=2022-08-03|title=The "Dark Brandon" Meme That Liberals Suddenly Love|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/08/what-is-dark-brandon-meme.html|access-date=2022-08-06|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805222501/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/08/what-is-dark-brandon-meme.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The term is currently used by both his supporters and his opponents.

=== Official reactions ===
Several White House officials, members of the Biden team, and U.S. Senator [[Chris Murphy]] made posts referencing "Dark Brandon" on social media.<ref name="VanityFair" /> [[Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign|Biden's 2024 re-election campaign]] also embraced the persona,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=2022-08-11|title=The 'Dark Brandon' meme — and why the Biden campaign has embraced it — explained|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23300286/biden-dark-brandon-meme-maga-why-confusing-explained|access-date=2023-08-04|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> making use of "Dark Brandon" imagery on their website's error message page and selling merchandise which references the meme.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Romo|first1=Vanessa|title='Dark Brandon' meme makes an appearance on Biden's new campaign website|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/25/1171885259/dark-brandon-meme-makes-an-appearance-on-bidens-new-campaign-website|access-date=25 April 2023|work=[[NPR]]|date=25 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabbatt |first=Adam |date=2023-08-04 |title='Dark Brandon' meme boosts Biden's campaign merchandise sales |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/04/joe-biden-dark-brandon-merch-campaign |access-date=2023-08-08 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> According to the campaign, such products accounted for more than half of online purchase revenue on Biden's official website store.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mastrangelo|first=Dominick|date=2023-08-23|title='Dark Brandon' ads backing abortion rights swarm FoxNews.com ahead of debate|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4166356-dark-brandon-ads-backing-abortion-rights-swarm-foxnews-com-ahead-of-debate/|access-date=2023-09-04|website=The Hill|language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 2023 [[White House Correspondents Dinner]], Biden himself acknowledged the meme, donning [[aviator sunglasses]] and joking to the next speaker, "I'm going to be fine with your jokes, but I'm not sure about Dark Brandon."<ref>{{Cite web|title=President Biden Brings Dark Brandon to Life in Zinger-Filled WHCA Speech|url=https://extratv.com/2023/04/29/president-biden-brings-dark-brandon-to-life-in-zinger-filled-whcd-speech|access-date=2023-04-30|website=Extra|language=en}}</ref> The term is often used when Biden "goes on the offensive".<ref>{{cite web|last=Concha|first=Joe|date=2022-09-07|title=The Dark Brandon rises|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/3632191-the-dark-brandon-rises|access-date=2022-09-08|website=The Hill|language=en-US}}</ref> An [[Agence France-Presse]] journalist wrote that the variant rebranded "him from ineffectual grandfather figure to a kind of political [[Terminator (character)|terminator]]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Sebastian|date=2022-08-06|title=Biden: superhero, lame duck — or both?|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/08/06/world/politics-diplomacy-world/joe-biden-superhero-lame-duck/|access-date=2023-07-02|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Woodward|first=Alex|date=2022-08-11|title=Inside the 'Dark Brandon' phenomenon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/dark-brandon-meme-white-house-b2142628.html|access-date=2022-08-11|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> On August 3, Biden posted a reel on [[Instagram]] where he drank coffee from a mug with "Dark Brandon" imagery. The video went viral with over 9 million views and half a million likes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvfLiY7tayd|access-date=2023-09-04|website=Instagram}}</ref> In February 2024, Biden used the persona in social media posts poking fun at a right-wing conspiracy theory alleging that [[Super Bowl LVIII]] was rigged in favor of the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] to boost Biden's reelection campaign, with the help of singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] and her boyfriend, Chiefs [[tight end]] [[Travis Kelce]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4462750-biden-trolls-maga-republicans-super-bowl-tweet/ |title=Biden trolls MAGA Republicans with Super Bowl tweet |last=Sforza |first=Lauren |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=February 12, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024}}</ref>

Reception of the meme has been mixed,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sommer |first=Sam Brodey,Ursula Perano,Will |date=2022-08-09 |title='Dark Brandon': How Dems Learned to Love Biden's Alter Ego |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/dark-brandon-or-how-the-left-stopped-worrying-and-learned-to-love-joe-bidens-alter-ego-lets-go-brandon |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=The Daily Beast |language=en}}</ref> with some arguing that official acknowledgement by the [[Biden administration]] "killed" the meme.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schwartz |first=Rafi |date=2022-08-09 |title=The 'Dark Brandon' Meme Has Died From a Terminal Case of Cringe |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/dark-brandon-meme-white-house-staff-cringe-1394273/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Dan |title=Joe Biden made a "Dark Brandon" joke at the White House Correspondent's dinner, killing it for good |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/04/joe-biden-dark-brandon-correspondent-dinner/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breland |first=Ali |title=Requiem for a Dark Brandon |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/08/dark-brandon-meme-joe-biden/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Let's go Brandon at a bar.jpg|The slogan posted on a sign at a saloon in [[Jarbidge, Nevada]]
File:Lets Go Brandon Meme in Parkinglot.jpg|An automobile with the slogan written on the rear glass, parked in [[The Villages, Florida]]
File:Woman wearing Lets go Brandon shirt.jpg|A woman wearing a shirt with the slogan
File:Anti Media Convoy, Feb 5th, 2022 (51864282816).jpg|A Canadian adaptation of the slogan with the name Brandon slightly changed to end with a suffix "eau", designed to rhyme with the name of [[Prime minister of Canada|Canadian Prime Minister]], [[Justin Trudeau]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[O1G]], a similar slogan used in opposition to [[Prime Minister of Hungary|Hungarian Prime Minister]] [[Viktor Orbán]]
* [[FDT (song)|"FDT"]], a protest song by American rappers [[YG (rapper)|YG]] and [[Nipsey Hussle]], whose title is an initialism for "Fuck [[Donald Trump]]"
* [[It's Joever]], an Internet meme relating to [[Joe Biden]]
* [[Thanks, Obama]], a slogan which gained popular use through viral memes criticizing the presidency of [[Barack Obama]]
* "[[Maggie Out]]": an anti-[[Margaret Thatcher]] chant used during Thatcher's time as [[prime minister of the United Kingdom]]
* [[Mondegreen]]
* [[Minced oath]]
* "[[Putin khuylo!]]", a slogan used in opposition to [[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]], which became popular in [[Ukraine]] after [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|the annexation of Crimea]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Joe Biden}}

[[Category:2021 quotations]]
[[Category:2021 in American television]]
[[Category:2021 controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:2021 in NASCAR]]
[[Category:2021 in sports in Alabama]]
[[Category:American political catchphrases]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Biden administration controversies]]
[[Category:Chants]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Counterculture of the 2020s]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Joe Biden]]
[[Category:Euphemisms]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2021]]
[[Category:Mass media issues]]
[[Category:Mondegreens]]
[[Category:NASCAR controversies]]
[[Category:NASCAR on television]]
[[Category:NASCAR terminology]]
[[Category:NBCSN]]
[[Category:October 2021 events in the United States]]
[[Category:Political Internet memes]]
[[Category:Politics and sports]]
[[Category:Sports controversies]]
[[Category:Television controversies in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 05:14, 2 December 2024

A "Let's Go Brandon" sign outside a Florida residence

"Let's Go Brandon" is a political slogan and Internet meme used as a euphemism for the phrase "Fuck Joe Biden" in reference to Joe Biden, the 46th and current president of the United States.

Chants of "Fuck Joe Biden" began during sporting events in early September 2021. 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.[1] The slogan has become well known through use by Republican Party politicians and critics of Biden.[2][3] The phrase quickly spread to popular culture, with rap songs using the phrase placing high on record charts.

Origins

Background: Anti-Biden chants

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.[4][5] Later that month, the phenomenon spread to other universities, including the University of Wyoming.[6] Similar anti-Biden chants took place during the September 2021 Ryder Cup.[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.[10]

Initial use

The portion of the Brandon Brown interview in which the crowd chants "Fuck Joe Biden", and the interviewer says, "Let's go, Brandon"
Race car driver Brandon Brown in October 2021

On October 2, 2021, racing driver Brandon Brown was being interviewed by NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, following his NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in the 2021 Sparks 300, which was shortened due to darkness.[11][12] Fans were chanting "Fuck Joe Biden",[13] and this became audible to viewers of the broadcast.[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!'"[3][11][16] As of December 2023, Stavast has not clarified if she misunderstood the chant or intentionally misquoted it. A reporter with the Associated Press said that the chant was "at first difficult to make out".[11][17]

Early spread and reactions

Footage of the interview went viral,[1] leading to the adoption of the phrase by critics of President Biden as an expression of antipathy toward him.[18][2][14] It has also been reported as a protest against perceived liberal bias in mainstream media, based on speculation that the reporter's description of the crowd's chant was intended to conceal anti-Biden sentiment.[2][14]

Conservative commentators Ben Shapiro and Tomi Lahren spread the phrase via Twitter.[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.[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."[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! Let's go us".[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.[20] He planned to ignore the phrase, but later worried that his silence was perceived as a tacit endorsement of the sentiment.[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.[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.[20] Brown took a more mixed stance in an op-ed for Newsweek, in which he said he was "not going to endorse anyone" or be silent about issues important to him.[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.[15]

Usage

Analysis

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. He wrote that the anti-Biden euphemism has a similar tone to the word SNAFU, which stands for "Situation Normal – All Fucked Up", or to the word "cuckservatives" (a portmanteau of "cuckold" and "conservatives") which is used by some nationalists or paleoconservatives to describe neoconservatives perceived as being in fact liberals. 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."[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".[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. 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."[25]

Politics

Congressman Bill Posey's October 21, 2021, speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, which he concludes with "Let's go Brandon"
Attendees at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference wearing "Let's Go Brandon" hats in which the font on the cap is designed to imitate the font used in Joe Biden's 2020 campaign logo

Republican politicians have used the phrase publicly. On October 21, 2021, Republican congressman Bill Posey concluded remarks on the House floor with "Let's go, Brandon".[2] Texas Governor Greg Abbott used the phrase in an October 22 tweet.[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.[27] The following week, Republican representative Jeff Duncan wore a face mask with the phrase printed on it on the House floor.[28] Senator Ted Cruz posed with a "Let's Go Brandon" sign that was hung in Houston at the 2021 World Series.[11] Later in 2021, a rapidly increasing number of national Republican politicians explicitly supported or referred to the phrase.[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."[32]

While Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were taking phone calls for NORAD's Santa tracker hotline on December 24, 2021, a caller ended his chat by saying, "Merry Christmas and let's go Brandon," to which Biden smiled and responded, "Let's go Brandon, I agree."[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. He's having a good year, I'm kind of happy for him."[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 'Let's Go Brandon' Williams". Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold denied Williams' request under the reasoning that "Let's go Brandon" is a slogan and not a nickname. Williams sued, with former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler acting as his attorney.[36] Although Denver District Judge Andrew McCallin agreed with Williams that he had successfully proved that he used "Let's go Brandon" as his nickname, the judge ultimately ruled that Secretary of State Griswold acted within her authority in denying Williams the use of the nickname on the ballot.[37] Williams attempted to appeal the verdict to the Colorado Supreme Court, but the court refused to hear his appeal.[38]

The phrase has been used on bumper stickers supporting Brandon Presley, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Mississippi in 2023.[39]

Music

Soon after the chant went viral, an anti-Biden rap song called "Let's Go Brandon" was recorded by Loza Alexander.[40] 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.[41][42][43] Alexander's song reached number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of November 6, 2021.[44]

Another song with the same title was released by Bryson Gray, a conservative Christian rapper, reaching number one on iTunes.[13] It debuted at number 28 on the US Hot 100.[45] The music video for Gray's song, which included the line "Biden said the jab stop the spread, it was lies" (in reference to COVID-19 vaccination efforts by Biden) was taken down by YouTube for containing "medical misinformation".[13] A country rap song of the same name was recorded by Forgiato Blow.[13] On October 27, iTunes had different "Let's Go Brandon" recordings at numbers one, two,[46] four and eight.[47]

On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released a single, "We the People", in which he attacks the media, Dr. Anthony Fauci, masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and Big Tech, and which features the chant "Let's go Brandon" in the chorus.[48][49]

Brandon Brown sponsorship

In early November, a right-wing[50] ERC20 token called "LGBcoin" (LGB) began trading,[51] and on December 30, 2021, LGBcoin announced that it would be sponsoring Brandon Brown's Brandonbilt Motorsports for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.[52] Brandonbilt's spokesman told Fox Business that approval was received on December 26,[53] but on January 5, 2022, FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass reported that NASCAR had not approved the sponsorship.[54] In response, investor James Koutoulas threatened a lawsuit against NASCAR, and called for a boycott until the decision was reversed.[55]

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.[56] In April 2022, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida by plaintiff Eric De Ford against the LGBcoin cryptocurrency company and its promoters Brandon Brown, NASCAR, and political commentator Candace Owens. The plaintiff alleges they made false or misleading statements about the LGBcoin in a pump and dump scheme.[50]

Other

In 2022, a then-nine-year-old autistic boy named Brandon Brundidge saw a sign with the phrase; not knowing the political meaning, he assumed they were supporting him. It inspired him to try swimming and biking without training wheels. His mother, Sheletta Brundidge, wrote a book called Brandon Spots His Sign, and they later met Brandon Brown.[57][58]

Dark Brandon

"Dark Brandon" imagery[59]

The phrase "Dark Brandon" was initially a meme created by online progressives to parody supporters of "Dark MAGA", a belief promoted by former U.S. representative Madison Cawthorn[60] that former president Trump would return to power "with a vengeance".[61] It copies the "fashwave" aesthetic used initially by online supporters of figures like Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis.[62][63]

In September 2022, the phrase was used to mock Biden and compare him to Adolf Hitler, during his Battle for the Soul of the Nation speech on Trump and his supporters.[64] During the speech, TV cameras framed Biden in front of a background illuminated by red lighting, along with two uniformed Marines on either side, with The Guardian calling it "dark", and New York Magazine saying the speech prompted "numerous comparisons of Biden to Hitler and Satan".[65][66]

The term was soon comically adopted by Biden's supporters and used in memes to support Biden's presidency.[67][68] The term is currently used by both his supporters and his opponents.

Official reactions

Several White House officials, members of the Biden team, and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy made posts referencing "Dark Brandon" on social media.[61] Biden's 2024 re-election campaign also embraced the persona,[69] making use of "Dark Brandon" imagery on their website's error message page and selling merchandise which references the meme.[70][71] According to the campaign, such products accounted for more than half of online purchase revenue on Biden's official website store.[72]

During the 2023 White House Correspondents Dinner, Biden himself acknowledged the meme, donning aviator sunglasses and joking to the next speaker, "I'm going to be fine with your jokes, but I'm not sure about Dark Brandon."[73] The term is often used when Biden "goes on the offensive".[74] An Agence France-Presse journalist wrote that the variant rebranded "him from ineffectual grandfather figure to a kind of political terminator".[75][76] On August 3, Biden posted a reel on Instagram where he drank coffee from a mug with "Dark Brandon" imagery. The video went viral with over 9 million views and half a million likes.[77] In February 2024, Biden used the persona in social media posts poking fun at a right-wing conspiracy theory alleging that Super Bowl LVIII was rigged in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs to boost Biden's reelection campaign, with the help of singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.[78]

Reception of the meme has been mixed,[79] with some arguing that official acknowledgement by the Biden administration "killed" the meme.[80][81][82]

See also

References

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