Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to take a jab at President Joe Biden over vaccine mandates by signing the state’s anti-mandate legislation in the city of Brandon, a name that has come to symbolize opposition to the president.
Biden critics have adopted the phrase “Let’s go Brandon” to register their displeasure with the president. The chant is a euphemism for “F*** Joe Biden” and originated from an NBC reporter who misheard the expletive-laden chant during an on-air NASCAR interview with driver Brandon Brown.
“You can hear the chants from the crowd, ‘Let’s go, Brandon!’” reporter Kelli Stavast said during the Oct. 2 interview.
DeSantis will appear in Brandon to sign into law a bill passed by the Florida Legislature Wednesday that prohibits businesses from imposing vaccine mandates without an array of exemptions.
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DeSantis has been a staunch opponent of COVID-related mandates, including mask requirements in schools. DeSantis has promoted COVID treatments, setting up 25 monoclonal antibody therapy sites throughout the state, although about half have shut down due to declining infection rates.
DeSantis was criticized over the summer for battling mask and vaccine mandates amid a COVID surge in the state, but the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have since declined significantly.
He’s a vocal Biden critic on other issues, including immigration, and is considered a prospective presidential candidate for 2024.
Brandon is an unincorporated community located 10 miles east of Tampa.
