• Biden's use of the term "ultra-MAGA" followed six months of research, the Washington Post reported.
  • Republicans and Trump's PAC are now using it on T-shirts.
  • "I am ultra MAGA and I'm proud of it," Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said.

President Joe Biden's use of the term "ultra-MAGA" reportedly followed six months of research into the best ways to target Republicans.

And it only took days for Republicans to put it T-shirts for fundraising sales.

The House Republicans' campaign arm is offering "ultra-MAGA" shirts with former President Donald Trump's likeness and a US flag. MAGA, which stands for "Make America Great Again," was Trump's 2016 campaign slogan

"House GOP's giving away 1,000 'ULTRA MAGA' shirts! Offer ends at Midnight or when we run out," the offer says.

This follows an "ultra-MAGA" T-shirt offer from former President Donald Trump's Save America PAC in exchange for a $45 contribution or more. "These shirts are the PERFECT way to show your unwavering support for President Trump AND prove to the Left that our movement is STRONGER than ever before," the fundraising email says.

Another fundraising email from the PAC offers an "ULTRAMAGA" T-shirt with a cartoon picture of Trump in a Superman costume with a "T" on his chest, also for a $45 contribution or more. 

The research project that led to the term "ultra-MAGA" was led by Biden adviser Anita Dunn and by the liberal group, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the Washington Post reported.

According to the Post, the polling and focus group research by Hart Research and the Global Strategy Group found that "MAGA" was already viewed negatively by voters.

The research showed the description tapped into sentiments that the Republican Party had become more extreme, the Post reported.

And yet, the attack line may be something MAGA Republicans want to embrace, just as they did when Hillary Clinton called them a "basket of deplorables" in 2016. 

"I am ultra MAGA, and I'm proud of it," Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the House's No. 3 Republican, told a reporter.

 

Outgoing White House Press Secretary  Jen Psaki on Tuesday said ultra-MAGA is Biden's phrase, and that he added 'ultra' to "give it a little extra pop." 

Biden used the phrase on May 4 to describe an agenda released by Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, saying the senator calls it the "Ultra-MAGA Agenda." In May 10 remarks about the economy, he said congressional Republicans have an "ultra-MAGA" plan to raise taxes on working families.

"Let me say this carefully: I never expected the Ultra-MAGA Republicans, who seem to control the Republican Party now, to have been able to control the Republican Party," he said.

He has also referred to Trump as, "the great MAGA king."

 

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