During the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump swore that, as President, he would "Make America great again." The slogan took off among his supporters, who wore the words emblazoned on red caps that became a definitive image for Trump's candidacy and presidency.
"Make America great again" has become so ubiquitous a phrase in the political sphere, that it's often referred to in acronym form: "MAGA."
But during the Republican National Convention—which presented its first lineup of speeches on Monday—Vice President Mike Pence's attempt to remix the slogan fell flat.
Watch below.
"Make America Great Again, Again" -- the 2020 GOP platform is basically that Trump deserves a mulligan pic.twitter.com/tNAXx0rEJr
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 24, 2020
Pence said:
"With your continued support and with God's help, we're gonna make America great again...again."
Pence apparently didn't consider the implications of his statement: that Trump had failed to make America "great" in his first four years.
Twitter users far and wide mocked Pence's attempt at rebranding the slogan.
He really said Make America Great Again, Again 😂 https://t.co/znCOW0dtZh
— John Pat Leary (@JohnPatLeary) August 25, 2020
Because the first time wasn't 'great' enough. https://t.co/a5qrttQFE6
— Kerry Eleveld (@kerryeleveld) August 24, 2020
Truly beyond parody at this point
pic.twitter.com/dmPlbZ2O53
— Tessa Dee (@TheTessaDee) August 24, 2020
Apparently VP Pence and his master have failed to yet make America any good, so they'd like a second go at it. https://t.co/YnSP5tvRBq
— andypiper 😷 (@andypiper) August 25, 2020
The worst sequel since Son of the Mask starring Jamie Kennedy. https://t.co/HKBazJfOEr
— kyle (@solace) August 24, 2020
"Make America Great Again, Again!" is the Louie Gohmert of campaign slogans. https://t.co/SSdA5CTorC
— Jay Miller is waiting out the Trumpocalypse (@j24miller) August 25, 2020
Trump has said in the past that the official slogan for his 2020 campaign is "Keep America Great," but the MAGA slogan from 2016 is still in wide use, including by the campaign.
So did Trump make America great or not?
The contradiction is encapsulated in Trump's vacillation between slogans in this campaign: is it Make America Great Again or Keep America Great?
The answer so far: keep America being made great again.
— Stephen Wertheim (@stephenwertheim) August 24, 2020
So remember Keep America Great?
Well, we kind of screwed the pooch on that one... https://t.co/yK8FI6Rv7u
— KevinlyFather 🇺🇲🇨🇦🇲🇼🇸🇿 (@KevinlyFather) August 24, 2020
MAGA,A? Hard pass. https://t.co/BOBkHa4VRp
— christopher gene (@SacramentoStick) August 24, 2020
The second night of the Republican National Convention begins on Tuesday.