DeSantis embraces coded 'Brandon' insult of Biden
Florida Gov_ Ron DeSantis has embraced “Let’s go Brandon.”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has embraced “ Let's go Brandon.”
The Republican governor on Thursday picked the small Tampa suburb of Brandon as the site of a bill signing ceremony, trolling President Joe Biden with a reference to what has become a stand-in for swearing at the president.
The “Let's Go Brandon” line — code for “F—- Joe Biden" — has grown in popularity among Republicans who want to boost their conservative credentials.
The governor has waged a legal and media campaign against the president over White House vaccine mandates. Running for reelection and eyeing a potential 2024 presidential run, DeSantis has become one of the nation’s most prominent Republicans by opposing public health guidelines during the pandemic.
The DeSantis campaign said it picked Brandon as the place to sign a legislative package meant to hobble coronavirus vaccine mandates pushed by the Biden administration.
DeSantis sidestepped a question about the ceremony's location.
"I think that Brandon, Florida, is a great American city,” DeSantis said, smiling as a “Let's go Brandon” chant broke out in the crowd.