Bernie Sanders Mittens Meme

Bernie Sanders Mittens Meme

Digital Exhibits

The Bernie Sanders Mittens Meme originated from a widely circulated image of Senator Bernie Sanders at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. This photo became popular due to the humorous contrast between Sanders' casual, practical attire and the seriousness of a major political event. The meme critiques the superficial pomp and spectacle of politics by showcasing Sanders as a symbol of authenticity, practicality, and working-class pragmatism. Much like 18th-century satirical prints mocked aristocratic excess and vanity, the Bernie meme gently satirized the grandiosity of political ceremony. In this meme, Bernie Sanders sits in a fold-out chair with his legs crossed. He is dressed in a gray coat, with brown and white mittens, and a surgical mask. He is sitting six feet apart from other political figures who are not named or recognizable, and there is text across the bottom of the page that reads, “Me after being told I can’t make political memes.”

Creator Unknown

imgflip

January 20, 2021

Creative Commons

English

Still Image

United States 21st Century