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# Deez Nuts Speaks: Meet Brady Olson, The 15-Year-Old Candidate for President

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_Published 2015-07-23. Donald Trump's Most Ridiculous Quotes_


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## Tessa Berenson


Aug 24, 2015 2:57 PM UTC

![Tessa Berenson](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltec0484fe1b20c577/698a0ced86f68ed9d96ee9e6/tessa-berenson-author-2020.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

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## Tessa Berenson


Aug 24, 2015 2:57 PM UTC

He is a third-party candidate for President running to shake up America’s gridlocked political system, hoping to create a movement on the ground to mobilize voters who are upset with the state of the election. He calls himself Deez Nuts. And he is 15 years old.

Deez Nuts is actually a high school boy in Iowa named Brady Olson, and he’s putting up some of the best third-party candidate numbers [in two decades](http://time.com/4004520/deez-nuts-candidate-2016/), never mind the fact that he’s 20 years too young to legally be President.

Olson told TIME in an email that it’s no secret in his hometown that he’s the man behind Deez Nuts. “\[My\] school has been contacted by media so they know,” he said. “My family and friends are taking this well and they support me fully.”

Olson said he decided to run because he is “frustrated with the two-party system,” and the viral momentum of Deez Nuts seems to show that America agrees with him. According to Olson, he’s been contacted by people in 23 states who want to help with the campaign.

This is part of a larger trend in the primary season, in which voters are bucking career politician candidates. Trump, neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former tech CEO Carly Fiorina, the three mainstream candidates who haven’t held elected office, have all also seen polling bumps in recent weeks. For those looking to vent their frustration, a teenager who legally cannot be elected has proven as attractive a vehicle as the other outsiders.

Olson, playing the role, says he has already given some thought to potential running mates if this zeitgeist propels him all the way to the White House. “For my VP, I would choose Limberbutt McCubbins (D-KY),” he said. Appropriately enough, McCubbins is actually a house cat, albeit one with a catchy slogan:

> [](https://twitter.com/Limberbutt2016/status/635059499024404480)

But if the Nuts/McCubbins ticket doesn’t work out, Olson says he would consider taking the Vice President slot himself. “There are only 3 candidates I would drop out for to be their VP,” he said, “Bernie Sanders (D-VT), John Kasich (R-OH), and Gary Johnson (L-NM).” Sanders is a independent who recently became a Democrat; Kasich is a Republican; and Johnson is eyeing the Libertarian Party nomination.


None could pick Nuts as a veep candidate because of his age. As Article II of the U.S. Constitution says of the presidency, “neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years.” The 12th Amendment puts the same requirements on the office of the Vice President. “No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States,” it reads.

“It is possible to erase section 1 of Article 2 through a Constitutional amendment, but \[that\] is not likely going to happen,” he concedes.

But as he awaits that phone call, Olson is happy to see how far the Deez Nuts campaign can go. So far he’s started a veritable revolution of FEC filings [from other fake-name candidates](http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/deez-nuts-has-started-a-revolution-20150821), including the new entries “King Prescott Satan” and “Butt Stuff.”

“It’s great that they want to get involved, and I support their ambitions,” Olson said. “It’s great to know that you’ve made a difference.”


### See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches

![Sen. Ted Cruz kicks off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nominee at Liberty University's Vines Center in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23, 2015. \(](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt551afc8c6ea4f8fa/6987eeff3c16392415455ec3/ted-cruz-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23. Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

![Presidential Campaign Launch Rand Paul](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte0b99f5662564e06/6987ee7c55a859ba72a89f5d/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-rand-paul.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7\. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream." Amy Harris—Corbis


![Presidential Campaign Launch Hillary Clinton](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4fbb3c3e832eeb57/6987ee7b524fc08078df091e/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-hillary-clinton.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play. Hillary For America

![Presidential Campaign Launch Marco Rubio](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta066a447d58930b9/6987ee7b5f570f471ab19771/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-marco-rubio.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13\. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013. Wilfredo Lee—AP

![Presidential Campaign Launch Bernie Sanders](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt981ff69b7e266ff0/6987ee7ae53aba45964dbb29/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-bernie-sanders.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015\. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters


![Presidential Campaign Launch Ben Carson](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc7830284938c1119/6987ee7a428a9ee6a5ccb428/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-ben-carson.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Bill Pugliano—Getty Images

![Presidential Campaign Launch Carly Fiorina](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8bcc028959b66f22/6987ee7a0b72e338b36e1e6a/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-carly-fiorina.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos. Lou Rocco—Getty Images

![Huckabee Presidential Campaign Launch](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt553162613a8091dd/6987ee7d3c16391dfa455df4/huckabee-launch.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5\. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed. Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty Images


![George Pataki Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt96c78b64e6feda6c/69885370e20a87f21fa8bbaa/george-pataki-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—Reuters

![Lincoln Chafee Democrat 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt92e83dcbd6b5183d/69885371cd1bba5a086fbb1d/lincoln-chafee-democrat-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images

![Lindsey Graham Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf0f4b24f3bbcf35/698853712dce0175f49e4119/lindsey-graham-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPA


![Martin O'Malley Democrat 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt88c0f0b63e16db61/698853720b72e32a6e6e45a1/martin-omalley-democrat-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters

![Rick Perry Texas Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd037bae0d4c3f685/69885372cd68483b3a0a03c8/rick-perry-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/Corbis

![Jeb Bush Campaign Launch](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt14d4f849e8efdea7/698854b58e0601c607460fd2/jeb-bush-campaign-launch1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015. Joe Raedle—Getty Images


![U.S. Republican presidential candidate Trump holds up his financial statement as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Trump Tower in New York](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt70d615297862c1d4/698854b8428a9e55a3ccdbb7/donald-trump-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Donald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters

![Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcb4b2bd93186c87b/69885844524fc07d4edf3492/bobby-jindal-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—Reuters

![Republican U.S. presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in New Jersey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt069d1929a0492feb/69885925e20a87094da8c18f/chris-christie3.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters


![Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Announces His Candidacy For President](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltba2e584fcb0fbe09/69885ae00b72e3bb846e4e98/scott-walker-campaign-launch.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty Images

![John Kasich 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte1389c1bb40e3544/69885bc8e53abad91c4deb35/john-kasich.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Ohio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters

_Read next:_ [_What Donald Trump Doesn’t Explain About America_](http://time.com/4014261/what-donald-trump-doesnt-explain-about-america/?iid=time%5Freadnext)

Deez Nuts Speaks: Meet Brady Olson, The 15-Year-Old for President

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