Although today’s presidential inauguration had numerous memorable moments — performances by Lady Gaga and J.Lo; a wonderful poem by Amanda Gorman; the swearing in of Kamala Harris, the first woman of color elected to the office of the Vice President — the most memefied shot of the day was, surprisingly, of Senator Bernie Sanders.
Clad in a coat and mittens, and carrying some sort of envelope, Senator Sanders nonchalantly sat and watched the program. Due to social distancing, the Senator was seated far apart from the inauguration’s other attendees. The subtle absurdity of this image, especially against the backdrop of such a historic day, caused the internet to go wild.
The Washington Post has already published a story about Senator Sanders’ mittens. The New Yorker has too. And on Twitter, countless users have been sharing photoshopped memes of the Senator in artworks, historical scenes, movies, and more. You can see a collection of those memes below.
“This could’ve been an email” pic.twitter.com/kn68z6eDhY
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) January 20, 2021
— R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) January 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/dr_tgpeterson/status/1352074657877417984
— Russ McSpadden (@PeccaryNotPig) January 21, 2021
actual photos of bernie sanders and tom hanks tonight at the inauguration night celebration pic.twitter.com/J1QtMWkCWX
— Tori 🙂 (@dottie_tori) January 21, 2021
bernie about to deny the rank of master to anakin skywalker pic.twitter.com/nww5w1hRDt
— Better Call Maul (@Nia_papaya_) January 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/jewish_activist/status/1352089304265318402
I made a website where you can put bernie in places using google maps street view. Enjoy!https://t.co/UfY5g9xU2k pic.twitter.com/8rstiEXOHf
— nicksawhney.bsky.social (@nick_sawhney) January 21, 2021
#Bernie photoshops from the inauguration that will steal your heart. A thread… pic.twitter.com/7iitC5k064
— Russ McSpadden (@PeccaryNotPig) January 21, 2021
— Russ McSpadden (@PeccaryNotPig) January 21, 2021
y’all always knew @BernieSanders was the 4th sis pic.twitter.com/OeJOqdsUvh
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) January 21, 2021
bernie mittens fancam pic.twitter.com/AIckq0am9N
— booster shawty (@Shakira0fficiaI) January 20, 2021
