Editor’s note: Videos contain profanity.
Since the start of college football season, voters in predominantly red states across the South and Midwest have been vocal about their disappointment in first-term Democratic President Joe Biden’s job performance—a phenomenon that media corporations have struggled to report on accurately.
As was the case four years ago under President Donald Trump, those critical of the man in office have chanted obscenities at large, public events.
With Biden’s popularity on the decline due to his handling of the pandemic, the economy, and the border, critics have been more candid than ever in making their displeasure known.
Last weekend at the Talladega Speedway, fans erupted into chants of “f— Joe Biden” as the race’s winner, Brandon Brown, was interviewed by Kelli Stavast, an NBC reporter.
Stavast commented on the chant and mischaracterized it as a pro-Brandon celebration.
If one listens to the clip, it is immediately clear that the crowd is talking about the 46th president in a non-celebratory manner.
Since then, Twitter personalities, including Donald Trump Jr., have commented on the clip to poke fun at the reporter for misrepresenting the crowd and its message.
The revised chant, “Let’s go, Brandon,” now appears to have taken on a life of its own as an ironic meme send-up of the mainstream media’s evasive efforts to deflect from any criticism of Biden.
A booming “Let’s Go Brandon” chant breaks out at the Jets game.
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) October 4, 2021
So I wasn’t expecting this but Korn and Staind just turned and said “Let’s Go Brandon!” pic.twitter.com/zVc7YWkPK3
— Deputy Hockey (@Deputy_Hockey) October 4, 2021
While the more profane version has been a hot commodity on flags and T-shirts, some are reporting that the new version has quickly sprung its own line of merchandise.
I made the hottest new shirt in America… because I believe in capitalism.
LET’S GO BRANDON!
Get in on the joke and Get ’em while they’re hot! They ship in 1 week! https://t.co/UmY7Hbf2gr pic.twitter.com/aHgykGtrgO
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 3, 2021
Elsewhere, progressive outlets have defended Stavast for “bravely” dealing with the chants while also chiding the boisterous fans.
While the criticisms of Trump were widely covered and amplified through news organizations—especially those on late-night shows—these same outlets appear less interested in reporting on the same types of jabs at Biden.
To this point, it does not seem that prominent media corporations are willing to report on the anti-Biden chants, which is perhaps an indication that they themselves are still in denial about the president’s popularity problems around the country.
In all likelihood, these chants will continue as the Biden Administration pushes harder to promote its progressive agenda. It remains to be seen if journalists and their employers have the capacity to acknowledge its divisiveness.
