Bernie Sanders has once again stolen the internet’s heart — this time by wearing the coat from the “I am once again asking” meme at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. And even now, an entire day later, the photo of the Vermont U.S. senator in his adorable woolen mittens seems to have awakened an insatiable hunger for more Bernie memes.
While some viewers admired Lady Gaga’s “Hunger Games”-style outfit or Michelle Obama’s gorgeous plum-colored ensemble, Sanders became the Twitter darling of the moment after a sweet, curmudgeonly photo of him at Capitol Hill began circulating on Wednesday.
The photo in question shows Sanders sitting in a folding chair, arms crossed and socially distanced from those around him. His expression, though mostly concealed behind his standard-issue surgical mask, is resolute in its Bernie-ness.
https://twitter.com/rachsyme/status/1351924607465496582
Knowing Sanders’ utilitarian approach to clothing, it makes perfect sense that he would wear the same jacket to the inauguration that he wore in the now-famous video of him on the campaign trail “once again asking” for donations from supporters.
His very cozy-looking beige mittens also drew the internet’s attention, and Buzzfeed News reporter Ruby Cramer even identified the Vermont woman who makes them and gifted them to Sanders years ago.
“Bernie’s mittens are made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt. She gave them to him 2+ years ago and was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail,” Cramer tweeted. “They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.”
How eco-friendly and weather-appropriate!
“Everyone else: wearing giant, dressy black and grey coats. Bernie: This is my good jacket, and it keeps me warm. I’m wearing it,” wrote one user.
Oh, and as for Bernie himself? He’s just glad that the memes “makes people aware that we make good mittens in Vermont,” he told CNN reporter Ali Zaslav.
He added: “We have some good coats as well.”
Cue an endless scroll of Bernie memes: We’ve gathered a whole truckload of them for you below.
https://twitter.com/Amanda_Kerri/status/1351928496436752384
Not me. Us. pic.twitter.com/ec7XgfEl7b
— Mayor Guy Fieri (@GuyFieri) January 21, 2021
#BernieSanders ? pic.twitter.com/EAFawF4tEk
— Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) January 21, 2021
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 21, 2021
I see everyone mocking Bernie's "grandpa at the post office" vibe today but those mittens are clutch pic.twitter.com/cVwINTnqR6
— Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) January 20, 2021
Bernie with zero sartorial consideration. Just full Vermont grandfather pic.twitter.com/hCmf14AeZg
— Kozza (@Kozza) January 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/CamBNewton/status/1351917037233254400
https://twitter.com/H3YLiGHTSKiN/status/1351930744264773632
Martin Scorsese watching a Marvel movie pic.twitter.com/U0BcpOjTVr
— Eric Allen Hatch (@ericallenhatch) January 20, 2021
The way my friend texted me like “woah jojo siwa came out” and I had no idea cause I’ve spent the past hour looking at Bernie Sanders memes pic.twitter.com/QZ7uQ4XFit
— ? (@dynamiccowboy) January 21, 2021
I regret to inform you that my family is now pasting the Bernie meme into family Passover Seder photos pic.twitter.com/rgxtntom4T
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 21, 2021
Bernie dressed like the inauguration is on his to do list today but ain’t his whole day. pic.twitter.com/wCRyoxU3V2
— Reeezy (@MsReeezy) January 20, 2021
has anyone done this one yet? pic.twitter.com/Lrx9mzDU48
— Greg Dunbar (@gdun) January 21, 2021
Okay one last Bernie Sanders meme, I promise. pic.twitter.com/hnW2ElnlJE
— KD➐ (@notkdk3) January 21, 2021
How I wish I dress: How I actually dress: pic.twitter.com/8lAA8X7u78
— Jorden E. Jackson (@jordeeeeeen) January 20, 2021
He said some of us have a JOB https://t.co/Jd162baBbU
— Lakyn thee Stylist (@OgLakyn) January 20, 2021
??? pic.twitter.com/MHzrIHb6hB
— ⁷ ⟭⟬⟬⟭☻☻ (@Sahra1236) January 20, 2021
I AM HERE FOR THE BERNIE MEMES! pic.twitter.com/Ahj8mf1LIj
— Keggerade (@Keggerade) January 21, 2021
This one made me spit out my coffee! ? pic.twitter.com/jrae8bjZ0c
— ??Suz ??????? (@LadyVeteran25) January 21, 2021