On October 29th, it was reported by AP News reporter Colleen Long that a pilot on a Southwest Airlines flight she was on said the phrase “Let's Go Brandon.” When she tried to investigate further, she was allegedly almost removed from the plane, later writing about the account in a news piece that began circulating online this weekend.

Both sides of the political aisle had a lot to say on the matter, from supporting his speech and demeaning those who would get upset and call for his resignation, to calling for his resignation for bringing politics into a serious workplace environment where he is supposed to ease passengers while in flight.

TFW you’re trying to go on vacation and then the pilot says the very thing you’re working on over the loud speaker and you have to try to get him comment but then almost get removed from plane. https://t.co/xZI5FtLzJB

— Colleen Long (@ctlong1) October 30, 2021

Has the Southwest Airline pilot been #FIRED yet? Not someone who should ever be responsible for a plane load of people.

— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) November 1, 2021

Southwest pilot: “let’s go Brandon!”

the libs: pic.twitter.com/WGRJl7JCNo

— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) October 31, 2021

Southwest pilot screams out "Let's go Brandon" over the intercom. @SouthwestAir I'll be booking my future flights accordingly. RT if you won't book with Southwest Airlines unless this pilot is fired.

— Turn Texas Blue (@Blue_Texas2022) October 30, 2021

I cannot believe that a Southwest Airlines pilot would say 'Lets Go Brandon' during a flight. That's so disgraceful and offensive.

He literally needs to be fired. pic.twitter.com/oSOdBiZ0vQ

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 31, 2021

While the back-and-forth online was underway, an internal investigation was started by Southwest Airlines, and audio from the plane was shared online. The audio itself is very low quality and hard to hear, but it has caused confusion among people who can't tell if he's saying "Let's Go Brandon!" or "Let's Go Braves!" as it isn't uncommon for pilots to shout out a sports team when they're in the playoffs, which the Atlanta Braves currently are.

The brave SouthWest airlines Pilot before signing off "Let's Go Brandon." pic.twitter.com/DQYCeSMLbu

— 🧢מאק (@beingrealmac) November 1, 2021

We know many of you have heard about recent statements that may have been made on a Southwest flight, and we wanted you to hear directly from us. pic.twitter.com/CYh0MugYxd

— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) October 31, 2021

also, as far as i can tell, the sole source for the southwest story is a lone AP lunatic who bragged she demanded access to the locked cockpit after she supposedly heard the pilot say the phrase. so, you’ll excuse me as i await secondary confirmation before I believe the story.

— tsar becket adams (@BecketAdams) November 1, 2021

Some have been leaning into the news, with stand-up comedian Tim Dillon releasing fake leaked audio that he claims is from the plane, hoping to get people to click on it only to hear inflammatory statements.

FULL LEAKED AUDIO FROM SOUTHWEST PILOT!!! pic.twitter.com/nOpiO74cRr

— Tim Dillon (@TimJDillon) October 31, 2021