An Unlimited Memeiosis of the “Let’s Go Fuck Joe Brandon” Meme: Sociocultural Ramifications of Taboo Humor in Strategic Political Discourse

Abstract

This article focuses on the intersection of meme theory, taboo humor, and political discourse, using the “Let’s Go Brandon!” meme and meme cycle as a case study for examining humor in contemporary political discourse and tribalism in the United States. It shows how memes – in the expanded sense – distill complex political ideas into easily shareable content, influencing public opinion and political engagement. The analysis considers the use of taboo language and humor, such as the use of “fuck,” as a form of rebellious use of profanity that challenges societal norms of civility in public engagement. By analyzing the role of memes and the cultural artefacts generated from them in political communication, this study provides insights into the evolution of political discourse and the sociocultural impact of memetic humor in the digital age.