Groupon says Presidents' Day gaffe was no mistake

CHICAGO

The company's press release said it wanted to honor former president Alexander Hamilton by allowing users to take $10 off a $40 purchase at local businesses.

"The $10 bill, as everyone knows, features President Alexander Hamilton -- undeniably one of our greatest presidents and most widely recognized for establishing the country's financial system," the press release read.

But the problem was Hamilton was never a U.S. president. He was a founder of the country's financial system, but as the nation's first Secretary of Treasury.

But it appears Groupon knew that all along. The Chicago Tribune reports that the spokesman for the daily deals website confirmed the mistake was intentional and "an overwhelming success."

"Most Presidents' Day promotions make people fall asleep, so we wanted to do something different that was in line with our brand and sense of humor that got people talking and writing about Groupon," the spokesman said.

If Groupon decides to celebrate Presidents' Day next year by giving a $100 discount, just know that Benjamin Franklin was never president either.

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