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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jade Bremner

Why are MAGA supporters chanting ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ to mock Democrats?

Getty Images

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.

“Let’s Go Biden” became a meme after a reporter mistakenly thought a NASCAR race crowd was shouting “Let’s Go Brandon”, instead of “f**k Joe Biden”.

“As you can hear the chants from the crowd, ‘let’s go Brandon’,” said NBC reporter Kelli Stavast, who was interviewing driver Brandon Brown after his race win at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway at the beginning of October. In the footage, fans can clearly be heard shouting a vulgar chant about the president.

The video of the awkward moment not only went viral, the censorship-friendly chant was adopted by Donald Trump fans and the former president himself – he released merchandise on his Save America website including T-shirts with the hashtag “#fgb” on it, under a picture of Joe Biden’s face.

Bryson Gray’s rap song “Let’s Go Brandon” is now top of the iTunes Charts, after being banned on YouTube for its “medical information” and lyric about the pandemic. In the second spot is another “Let’s go Brandon” rap song by Loza Alexander. Adele is in the third spot.

The phrase is also being repeatedly chanted at football games like an anthem. It has been printed on bumper stickers, hats, and is being sold in pro-Trump shops. It’s also been printed on billboards around the country. “Let’s Go Brandon” was even seen on a banner pulled by a plane at the Trump’s Iowa State Fairgrounds rally.

Despite the president being widely mocked, the White House claims it has never heard of the phrase, spokesperson Andrew Bates told The Washington Post, “I had never heard of that chant until you explained it to me. I guess I’m not spending enough time on 8chan or whatever.”

The insult to Biden also snubs the “liberal media” – the blip is being used as an example by Trump supporters of how certain outlets bend the truth. “The reporter just lies,” said one user under the viral video. “Oh the liberal media,” posts another under the footage.

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