At the end of Wednesday’s Democratic debate, Joe Biden confused CNN viewers when he directed them to “go to Joe30330,” which was not an actual website.
At the end of his closing remarks, Biden said “If you agree with me, go to Joe 30330 and help me in this fight.”
As it turns out, Biden was trying to refer viewers to a phone number his campaign wants supporters to text. Shortly after the debate ended, his official Twitter account told followers: “Let’s keep our momentum going. If you liked what you heard tonight, text JOE to 30330 and let’s get to work.” His campaign previously told supporters to text that number last May.
Of course, the internet being what it is, the URL joe30330.com was quickly purchased. As of this writing it redirects to a parody website called “Josh for America” that contains a fake campaign video, and a “donations” page urging visitors to contribute to Pete Buttigieg.
“Hey! If Joe Biden sent you here, we just want to make something clear: we’re not affiliated with any presidential campaign,” reads a message on the “Josh for America” donations page. “We’re just having some good fun (maybe a little bit at the expense of Joe) :)”
Josh, by the way, is Syracuse University student Josh Fayer, who didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.
Meanwhile, many viewers thought that Biden said “Joe 3030,” and predictably, someone bought that domain name too. The URL Joe3030.com now redirects users to — you guessed it — Pete Buttigieg’s campaign website. It is unclear who purchased the domain name.
Representatives for Biden and Buttigieg also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. And incidentally, Biden’s actual website is JoeBiden.com.
Watch the moment in the clip below:
Joe Biden telling a nationwide debate audience to "go to joe30330" is a digital strategist's nightmare
luckily, he doesn't have any working on his campaign. pic.twitter.com/ebhikdnYZP
— Brett "Solidarity 2024" Banditelli (@banditelli) August 1, 2019