The Hashtag
#RidinWithBiden became the rallying cry for Biden supporters—though notably less passionate than Trump’s MAGA or Sanders’ movement, reflecting pragmatic “beat Trump” energy.
Origins
The hashtag emerged during the 2020 primaries as Biden secured the nomination. Unlike 2016’s “I’m With Her” or Sanders’ “Feel the Bern,” Biden’s support was often framed as anti-Trump rather than pro-Biden.
“Ridin with Biden” played on his Scranton Joe, Amtrak-riding everyman image. It stuck as his main grassroots hashtag through the general election.
Cultural Impact
The hashtag reflected:
- Enthusiasm gap debates (Biden voters motivated by Trump hatred)
- Generational divide (younger voters used #SettlinForBiden sarcastically)
- Suburban defection from Trump (moderate Republicans “ridin” reluctantly)
- Coalition building over ideological purity
Critics mocked Biden’s “basement campaign” (limited public events during COVID). Supporters argued he was being responsible during a pandemic while Trump held super-spreader rallies.
Biden won 81.2 million votes—the most in U.S. history—despite questions about enthusiasm. The hashtag represented “good enough” coalition politics: progressives who wanted Sanders, moderates who wanted stability, Republicans who rejected Trump.
The slogan’s success proved passion metrics don’t always predict outcomes. Biden’s boring steadiness was the appeal.