How 'Let's Go Brandon!' became the new unofficial anti-Joe Biden anthem

Perhaps Nascar reporter Kelli Stavast misheard when the crowd around her riotously chanted "F--- Joe Biden!" during a live broadcast on NBC.

"As you can hear...the chants from the crowd... 'Let's Go Brandon!' said Ms Stavast as she interviewed race winner Brandon Brown at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway.

Since the moment two weeks ago "Let's Go Brandon!" has become an ironic mantra for opponents of Mr Biden across America.

Ted Cruz, the Republican senator, called the original use of the phrase "one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen."

He added: "The clip is surreal. Listening to the NBC reporter say, 'Look, they’re chanting Let's Go Brandon!' It captures everything about fake news all at once."

For weeks before the Talladega incident the profane chant "F--- Joe Biden!" had been filling the air at college American football stadiums.

As Mr Biden's approval ratings plummet it has transferred to crowds at NFL and Major League Baseball games, boxing matches, and even the Ryder Cup.

Now, the more family-friendly euphemism "Let's Go Brandon!" has been taken up by supporters of Donald Trump to express the same sentiment.

When the former US president took to the stage for his "Save America" rally in Iowa last weekend a plane flew a "Let's Go Brandon!" banner overhead:

Donald Trump Jr tweeted "Let's Go Brandon!" alongside a video clip of protesters chanting "F--- Joe Biden" in New York.

Mr Trump Jr said: "Saturdays are no longer for the boys. They’re for 'Let's Go Brandon!' chants."

It remained unclear whether the reporter Ms Stavast misheard the original chant, or if she quickly re-interpreted in an attempt to save TV viewers from hearing bad language. She has not commented.

The phrase has been popping up in unlikely settings across the US, including billboards, and at an airport in Chicago where "Let's Go Brandon!" was heard over the paging system:

When Mr Biden visited Michigan last week he was greeted by protesters using the profane chant, while holding "Let's Go Brandon" signs.

Brandon Brown, the Nascar racing driver, saw the funny side of becoming a political euphemism.

He said: "To all the other Brandons out there, You're welcome! Let's go us."