President Joe Biden has recently been in the spotlight for capitalizing on former President Donald Trump’s third criminal indictment by promoting a “Dark Brandon” mug. This move by Biden has drawn criticism from Trump’s legal team, who claim that the current president is making a subtle reference to the indictment through this promotional campaign.
On August 3, a video was posted on a platform formerly known as Twitter, showcasing President Biden sipping from a mug adorned with an image of himself with glowing red eyes and the “2024” inscription. The caption accompanying the video humorously states, “A cup of Joe never tasted better,” and offers the mug for sale at a price of $22, with proceeds going towards Biden’s 2024 campaign.Trump’s legal team, in a recent court filing responding to the Justice Department’s request for a protective order in the January 6 case, alleges that Biden’s promotion of the mug on the same day Trump was arraigned in Washington, D.C., is no mere coincidence.
They argue that Biden and his media allies are using the indictment to further their campaign, with the mug promotion being a prime example of this strategy.The inclusion of Biden’s post in the court filing has stirred discussions on social media. Many find the argument presented by Trump’s lawyers to be perplexing. Robert DeNault, a lawyer, commented on the situation, stating that the photo of Biden with the mug is merely a humorous nod to the Dark Brandon meme and has no connection to Trump’s prosecution. He criticized Trump’s lawyers for turning the federal criminal prosecution into a spectacle.Others on social media have also weighed in on the matter.
Pro-Biden influencer Harry Sisson remarked on how Trump’s apprehension of Biden is evident through such allegations. He mocked the idea that Biden sipping coffee from the Dark Brandon mug was a way to taunt Trump. Another user, @JFG0995, expressed disbelief over the controversy surrounding the Dark Brandon merchandise, pointing out that Trump has also sold merchandise featuring his image.The “Dark Brandon” meme, from which the mug design originates, was initially created by Trump supporters as a way to ridicule Biden. It evolved from two other popular memes among Trump supporters: “Let’s Go Brandon,” a veiled insult towards Biden, and the “Dark MAGA” meme.
Interestingly, the meme has been embraced and reclaimed by Biden and his supporters. The recent court filing by Trump’s team is a response to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request to restrict the kind of information Trump can publicly disclose about the case. This request came shortly after Trump’s post on Truth Social, where he warned, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” Some critics and legal experts view this post as a threat that isn’t protected by the freedom of speech. In conclusion, the promotion of the “Dark Brandon” mug by President Biden has become a topic of contention between the current and former presidents. While it’s seen by many as a light-hearted marketing strategy, others view it as a politically charged move. The debate continues as both parties present their arguments in the public domain.
