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