Nato faces backlash over 'tone deaf' Brat meme
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) is facing major social media backlash over a recent post on Instagram featuring a neon green "peace" graphic in the style of a viral "Brat" trend popularised by popstar Charli XCX.
The post, captioned "Summer might be over, but the goal for peace remains" followed by a green heart emoji, has drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning its appropriateness and tone amid ongoing wars across the globe.
"Ok this just simply is not the time for a cute pop culture reference from multiple nation's governments," posted one user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"No one and nothing is serious anymore. Every institution and public figure is just PR, vibes, and entertainment," wrote another.
The Brat meme, which represents a rebellious and carefree attitude, is inspired by Charli XCX's latest album of the same name whose cover features an out-of-focus sans serif typeface on a bright neon green background.
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A brat is "just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes, who feels herself, but then also maybe has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it," according to the singer.
What started as a music marketing tool grew into a wider cultural trend over the summer, used by celebrities, brands and political figures to appeal to younger audiences.
i hate how everything is reduced to a meme like be so fckn fr rn https://t.co/n8vZa8ggeF
— ilayda 🇵🇸 (@erxtica) September 3, 2024
In July, US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris embraced the slogan, as Charli endorsed her with the X post: “kamala IS brat," prompting a revamp of her campaign to include the flashy Brat style.
The military alliance hopped on the trend with its "peace" post several months after its inception.
Social media users quickly responded to Nato's post by calling it "tone deaf" and arguing that the organisation does not promote peace around the globe.
"Have they not allowed and condoned for many people to be murdered in the eyes of the people in the countries that live in them?" commented one critic.
An Instagram user replied: "Nato and peace. Yea of course."
Some reactions were more scathing, highlighting founding member US's support for Israel amid its ongoing bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, and the alliance's perceived inaction.
"Some of the bloodiest wars in recent years are unfolding before our eyes, one of them a genocide. And Nato? They're idly standing by, wasting time with their ridiculous 'brat summer' posts," one person wrote.
sorry what?? we’re officially shutting this brat meme down, nato has done what they know best: killed it. pic.twitter.com/5CB4G5Cgh7
— kowther 🇵🇸 gazafunds.com (@txt_kowth) September 4, 2024
Others took a more lighthearted approach.
"The UN is brat, Nato not so much," said a user in the Reddit community for Charli XCX.
Some users on the platform parodied her lyrics to mock Nato's post: "Should we do a little war should we have a little crime / 365 cruise missiles bombin’ that, F-22 wipe away the refugees / Push the peace back, diplomat when I'm bombin' that."
Around the time of Nato's post, Charli XCX declared the end of “Brat summer”, with some speculating that her timing might have had to do with the meme's unexpected use.
"Charli's tweet makes sense now," one user said.
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