An Oregon man says he's taking a lot of heat for repeating an offensive catchphrase during a Christmas Eve phone call with President Joe Biden.
After wishing the Bidens a Merry Christmas, Jared Schmeck blurted out "Let's go, Brandon" before his line was "disconnected."
The derogatory phrase has become a rallying cry for some on the right. It originated from a misheard chant at a NASCAR race in October, when an NBC reporter thought the profane chant of "F--k Joe Biden" was actually "Let's go, Brandon" in support for winning driver Brandon Brown.
Since that on-air mistake, "Let's go, Brandon" has grown in popularity to mean "F--k Joe Biden," particularly among supporters of former President Donald Trump. The phrase has appeared in memes and social media posts, and some conservative politicians have even used it.
Schmeck, a 35-year-old father of four, said he meant no disrespect toward Biden and that he was just expressing himself as a "free-thinking American and follower of Jesus Christ."
"I have nothing against Mr. Biden, but I am frustrated because I think he can be doing a better job," Schmeck told The Oregonian.
Schmeck said his family calls the White House NORAD Santa tracker every Christmas Eve. Unlike every year before, when Sckmeck called the hotline this year, he was told First Lady Jill Biden would be taking calls -- and then she actually picked up.
The call was being livestreamed and started innocently enough, with Schmeck wishing for a quiet night over the holidays. The president asked what his kids wanted for Christmas and the first lady reminisced about one of her favorite presents as a child.
In wrapping up the call, the president told Schmeck to make sure everyone was in bed by 9 o'clock and stayed asleep until at least midnight so Santa could arrive.
"Have a wonderful Christmas," the first lady said.
"I hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas as well," Schmeck responded. "Merry Christmas and let's go, Brandon."
The first lady winced but the president kept his cool.
"Let's go, Brandon, I agree," he said, "By the way, are you in Oregon? Where's your home?"
Schmeck didn't respond, as he said the call was disconnected, and Biden quickly moved on.
Schmeck posted video of the call on his YouTube channel and quickly started catching flak as it spread around the internet.
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, called Schmeck a "pathetic dad who humiliated his family to say F-U to the president on Christmas Eve."
CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond also chastised Schmeck.
"If you think it's appropriate to tell someone — anyone, really — to go f*** themselves after they gave your kids the time of day on Christmas Eve, it says a lot more about your personal character than anything else. That is all," Diamond tweeted.
Similar comments have been posted from people across the nation. Schmeck said he is being attacked for utilizing his freedom of speech.
"I understand there is a vulgar meaning to 'Lets go, Brandon,' but I'm not that simple minded, no matter how I feel about him," Schmeck told the Oregonian. "He seems likes he's a cordial guy. There's no animosity or anything like that. It was merely just an innocent jest to also express my God-given right to express my frustrations in a joking manner."
Schmeck insisted he has no ill will toward the Commander-in-Chief, adding "I love him just like I love any other brother or sister."
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