The “Let’s Go Brandon” craze appears to have lingered in the cultural zeitgeist for more than a year, with sales of wrapping paper carrying its namesake exceeding last year’s.
According to Fox Business, the conservative apparel firm Freedom Speaks Up has sold over 500,000 square feet of “Let’s Go Brandon” wrapping paper in 2022, more than doubling its sales from 2021, when “Let’s Go Brandon” was at its height of popularity.
CEO Seth Weathers says the firm produced $1 million in sales last year, which it more than doubled in 2020 with the introduction of their “Merry Easter” Joe Biden parody wrapping paper.
“We’re having a great time with it; there is no way to spend $20 and get bigger grins on Christmas morning,” Weathers told Fox Business.
When NASCAR driver Brandon Brown won his first Xfinity Series race at Talladega Speedway in early October 2021, reporter Kellie Stavast attempted to cover up the fans yelling “F*ck Joe Biden.” Since then, the chant has evolved into a lighthearted, vulgar-free way of mocking the 46th President of the United States.
Brandon told Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal in Dec. of last year that potential sponsors were hesitant to get behind his brand because of the chant’s notoriety.
“It’s difficult for a company to associate with someone who may be polarizing within their customer base. Why would they want to talk to me if I’m going to divide Coca-Cola? So, in a nutshell, it’s been difficult to connect with relationships because it’s perceived as a ticking time bomb: ‘What’s he doing to say or choose and how will it affect our consumer base?’ It’s just too dangerous.’ I appreciate their point of view, but it’s made it difficult to tie anything down.”
Brandon identified as a Republican but said he did not want his racing to be tied with politics.
“The unfortunate part is that my name and career are on the line, and the stakes are tremendous. If I make a mistake in this environment, my name as a driver fades quickly,” Brown explained.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps condemned the chant, calling it an “unfortunate scenario” and extending condolences to Brandon and the reporter.
“It’s a sad circumstance, and I feel for Brandon and Kelli,” Phelps said last year on Fox News. “Unfortunately, I believe it reflects the situation of our country. We don’t want to be associated with politics, whether left or right.”
