Bernie Sanders’ grumpy, mittened appearance at Biden’s inauguration became 2021’s first mega-meme. The Vermont senator sitting cross-legged in a folding chair, bundled in a parka and handmade mittens, spawned millions of Photoshop edits within hours.

Meme Explosion

• The Photo - Brendan Smialowski (AFP) captured Bernie’s unbothered energy
• The Mittens - Made by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis from repurposed wool
• The Vibe - Contrasted with ceremony’s formality; relatable curmudgeon energy

Cultural Moment

• Edits flooded internet - Bernie on Iron Throne, at Met Gala, in Renaissance paintings
• Charity - Bernie sold sweatshirts with meme, raised $1.8 million for Meals on Wheels
• Mainstream reach - Even non-political accounts participated
• Longevity - Referenced for months in “Bernie sits” format

Why It Worked

Perfect storm: historic moment, relatable vibe, accessible Photoshop template, bipartisan appeal.

Sources: Twitter trends, charity fundraising records