No one, least of all NASCAR driver Brandon Brown, could have foreseen that his name would become a viral meme that has nothing to do with him at all. But that’s exactly what happened on Oct. 2 after Brown won his first career race.
During a post-race interview, the crowd behind Brown broke out into a chant that had already become commonplace at major sporting events nationwide: “F*** Joe Biden.” The reporter interviewing Brandon either misheard what the crowd was chanting, or she tried to make the best of a tough situation, and said on air that the expletive-laden chant was a cheer for Brandon. And thus, “Let’s go, Brandon,” was born.
The phrase became an overnight internet sensation and the inspiration for a viral rap song, and no wonder: It’s a politer way of expressing discontent with the Biden administration, and it’s just downright funny.
So, of course, the media have thrown a fit about it. The Associated Press published an entire report about the “vulgar” phrase. It accused a Southwest Airlines pilot of forcing his politics upon passengers by saying, “Let’s go, Brandon,” over the intercom on a recent flight. That pilot is now being investigated by Southwest, even though there is no corroborating evidence proving that he did say the phrase.
That’s not even the worst of it. CNN’s Edward-Issac Dovere said that “Let’s go, Brandon” is just an “inside joke telling the president of the United States to perform a sexual act on himself.” Washington Post reporters Ashley Parker and Carissa Wolfe described the use of the phrase as “vitriolic.” CNN’s John Avlon declared it “not patriotic.” And CNN’s Asha Rangappa said the term is equivalent to “Long live ISIS.”
It must be difficult for leftist pundits and activists to encounter a widespread political opinion different from their own. They’re so used to having control of the culture that this must be a shock.
Conservatives, however, are used to opposition that is often much more vulgar and aggressive than “Let’s go, Brandon.” Indeed, it wasn’t too long ago that Robert De Niro was screaming, “F*** Trump!”, on a Hollywood stage and Kathy Griffin was posting a picture of herself holding President Donald Trump’s severed head. Where were the cries of indignation then?
Like it or not, “Let’s go, Brandon” has taken on a life of its own, and it’s not going away soon. Just look at President Joe Biden’s poll numbers.
