Bernie Sanders mittens meme

In January 2021, a photograph of Bernie Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, wearing distinctive mittens and appearing to be resting during the inauguration of Joe Biden, went viral as an Internet meme. It increased the popularity of the mittens, and the photograph was parodied in several different ways.

This photograph of Bernie Sanders at the Inauguration of Joe Biden became an internet meme.

Background

During the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, a photograph of Vermont senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was taken by Agence France-Presse photographer Brendan Smialowski.[1] It depicts a masked Sanders sitting on a chair wearing winter clothing, most noticeably a large, fluffy pair of mittens, which were made by Vermont elementary school teacher Jen Ellis.[2] The photograph became a popular Internet meme, going viral and being posted a number of times to a wide range of websites.[3][4][5]

Parodies and merchandise

The photograph led to a number of parodies, in which Sanders was edited into various popular and historical photographs, similar to the tourist guy viral photo,[6] including scenes with Batman, Star Trek and Wayne's World. A website was set up allowing the picture of Sanders to be placed into any Google Street View photograph.[7] Subsequently, other merchandise was manufactured with the photo, including plates, T-shirts, stickers, and wine glasses.[8] Sanders responded well to the meme and the various edits,[9] and decided to use the photograph to sell sweatshirts, featuring the viral photograph, for charity,[10] which totaled at least $1.8 million.[11]

As a result of the meme, Ellis received thousands of orders for the mittens, resulting in them being sold out.[12] She has published the designs for people to make similar mittens. Ellis has collaborated with Darn Tough Socks to produce a range of socks with the same pattern as the mittens, the proceeds of which will go towards food-banks in Vermont.[8][13] Knitting author Kate Atherley has welcomed the interest in mittens resulting from the meme.[14] The Burton Snowboards jacket worn by Sanders has also increased its popularity, leading to the company donating 50 of them to the Burlington Department for Children and Families.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Photographer who took Bernie Sanders mittens snap says shot is 'not that nice': 'I'm not going to put it in a portfolio'". The Independent. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. "Bernie Sanders spawns splash of memes with inaugural attire". Associated Press. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  3. Cooper, Gael. "Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens meme: The funniest versions". CNET. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. "The mittens that resonated around the world". Washington Post. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. Martin Belam (January 21, 2021). "'You just can't get everything you want': Bernie Sanders' mittens not for sale". The Guardian. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. Kipling, Ella. "How To Put Bernie In A Picture". HITC. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  7. "Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens meme won't quit: The funniest versions". C-Net. January 24, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. "10 funny gifts inspired by the Bernie Sanders mittens meme". NBC News. January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  9. Reilly, Nick. "Yes, Bernie Sanders has seen all of your inauguration memes". NME. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  10. Ritschel, Chelsea. "Bernie Sanders is selling inaugeration meme sweatshirts for charity". The Independent. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  11. Rathke, Lisa (January 28, 2021). "Bernie Sanders' mittens, memes help raise $1.8M for charity". Associated Press. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  12. "Meet the woman behind Bernie Sanders' famous mittens". BBC News. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  13. "Bernie Sanders' mitten creator is making socks inspired by the famous meme". C-NET. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. "How to make Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens". The Guardian. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
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