Social media users in the United States criticized a pilot who used announcements on a flight as a platform to oppose President Joe Biden. Details reveal a pilot working for Southwest Airlines concluded an announcement directed at passengers with a phrase indicating his political stance against President Biden. The pilot shouted, "Let's go Brandon."
This phrase went viral in the United States following an interview with famous race car driver Brandon Brown after his victory in a race in Alabama, where background chants were heard that were derogatory toward the U.S. president.
The National Public Radio reported that if someone in the U.S. says "Let's go Brandon," they are not referring to a person named Brandon but using it as a euphemism for a vulgar expression against Biden.
Fox News reported that the incident occurred last Friday during a flight from Houston, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident was confirmed by a reporter from the Associated Press who was on the domestic flight.
American actor Andy Ostroy stated that unless Southwest Airlines fires the pilot, he would not fly with them. Similarly, well-known American writer Sarah Posner pointed out that the news about the pilot’s behavior reminds people of "Trumpian things" seeping into everyday life.
Kathleen DiCer, an editor at The Washington Post, remarked that what the pilot did was a tacky stance. In response to this controversy, Southwest Airlines issued a statement affirming its "pride in providing a welcoming, comfortable, and respectful environment for the millions of customers who travel with the airline each year." The statement added that "behavior that is divisive or offensive will not be tolerated."
