Joe gets dissed for Christmas
Classless caller into W.H. Santa event hurls ‘Brandon’ slur
Even tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve can turn ugly for President Biden these days.
The president was ambushed during a feel-good holiday event with children when an Oregon parent participating remotely interjected “Let’s go Brandon,” a phrase that is code for an expletive aimed at Biden.
The president affably agreed with the parent, possibly reflecting that he does not know what the phrase means.
“I agree, let’s go Brandon,” Biden said.
The moment quickly went viral as right-wing supporters of former President Donald Trump suggested Biden’s reaction shows he is too old to be president.
Biden supporters called the president’s remark a brushoff that reflects his old-school classiness.
The unsavory drama unfolded as Biden and First Lady Jill Biden took part in the annual
pre-Christmas White House tradition of tracking Santa Claus’ journey from the North Pole to kids’ homes across the world.
During the event, the first couple heard from the commander of the U.S. military’s NORAD tracking system, who told them Kris Kringle and the reindeer were already zooming through the sky somewhere over Central
Asia.
“Santa’s really moving, Man,” Biden said. “That’s a heavy sleigh.”
Biden chatted with children about Christmas in person, warning them to make sure to be in bed on time so Santa could deliver their presents.
There was no hint at the nastiness to come as the president
chatted with the children.
They told him they were hoping to get a piano, Nintendo gadgets and a Barbie doll, among other gifts.
Jill Biden joked that she still has her childhood “now ancient Barbie” doll.
The Oregon father and his children participated in the event via phone.
The president was wrapping up the call by reminding the children to be in bed by 9 p.m. when the father, identified only as Jared, spoke out.
“I hope you have a wonderful Christmas,” Biden told the man.
“Yeah, I hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas as well. Merry Christmas and let’s go Brandon,” he said.
After Biden agreed, the audio abruptly cut off and the Bidens moved on to talk with other families.
Earlier Friday, the first couple visited a Washington, D.C., Christmas tree and cheered ailing kids at Children’s National Hospital.
The president whipped out his cell phone to show one boy a picture of the first family’s new puppy, Commander.
Both Bidens read from a children’s book called “Olaf’s Night Before Christmas,” from the “Frozen” story.
“You’re bringing us some joy,” the president said to the kids.