Viral Inauguration Moment
Bernie Sanders mittens - photo of Bernie sitting cross-armed in homemade mittens at Biden’s inauguration - became January 2021’s biggest meme with millions of photoshops placing him in random locations (January 20-25, 2021).
The photo: Bernie sitting cross-armed, wearing giant knitted mittens, mask, winter coat; looking cold and unimpressed
Why viral: Relatable grumpy grandpa energy; contrast with inauguration’s formality; mittens hilariously oversized
Photoshop frenzy: Bernie placed everywhere - movies, paintings, historical photos, video games
Famous placements: Lord of the Rings, Friends couch, Last Supper, Mars rover, Star Wars
Mitten origin: Made by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis using recycled wool; became overnight celebrity
Merchandise: Official Bernie campaign selling mittens crewneck; raised $1.8M for charity
Celebrity participation: Celebs photoshopping Bernie into photos; mainstream embrace
Peak: January 20-23; new Bernie photoshop every minute; total social media domination
Wholesome: Rare political meme both sides enjoyed; non-partisan grandpa charm
Aftermath: Mittens donated to Smithsonian; cultural artifact status achieved
Bernie Mittens represents 2021’s brief moment of unity - exhausted, cold, relatable senator uniting divided internet.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/