The infamous Bernie memes. Here are 5 of the most popular ones:
Bernie Memes: A Brief History

The Bernie meme phenomenon began during the 2020 United States presidential election, when a photo of Bernie Sanders wearing a parka and mittens at President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony went viral. The image was captioned with humorous and relatable phrases, often referencing the senator’s perceived grumpiness or his reputation as a champion of social and economic justice.
1. The Original Mitten Meme
This meme features the iconic photo of Bernie Sanders sitting with his arms crossed, wearing a parka and mittens, with a stern expression on his face. The image is often captioned with phrases like “I’m not impressed” or “I’m here for the free food.” The meme has been remixed and recontextualized countless times, with Bernie’s image superimposed onto various backgrounds and scenarios.
2. Bernie on a Chair
In this meme, Bernie is photoshopped sitting on a chair in various unlikely locations, such as on the moon, on a beach, or even on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. The humor comes from the juxtaposition of Bernie’s everyday, relatable appearance with the absurdity of the situation.
3. Bernie with a Vaccine
This meme features Bernie holding a COVID-19 vaccine, often with a caption like “I’m not old, I’m just vaccinated” or “I’m not a morning person, but I’ll take a vaccine at 6 am.” The meme pokes fun at the challenges of vaccine distribution and the perception that older adults are more likely to be vaccinated.
4. Bernie as a Time Traveler
In this meme, Bernie is depicted traveling through time, often to historical events or cultural touchstones. For example, he might be shown attending a medieval jousting tournament or sitting in on a meeting of the Founding Fathers. The humor comes from the anachronism of Bernie’s modern appearance and demeanor in these historical contexts.
5. Bernie at the Inauguration (Again)
This meme features another photo from the inauguration ceremony, this time with Bernie sitting between other politicians, such as Mitch McConnell or Nancy Pelosi. The captions often play on the perceived awkwardness of the situation, with Bernie looking out of place or disapproving of his surroundings.
Key Points
- The Bernie meme phenomenon began during the 2020 US presidential election
- The memes often feature Bernie Sanders in humorous and relatable situations
- The memes have been remixed and recontextualized countless times
- The humor comes from the juxtaposition of Bernie's everyday appearance with absurd situations
- The memes have become a cultural touchstone and a symbol of internet humor
| Meme | Description |
|---|---|
| Original Mitten Meme | Bernie sitting with his arms crossed, wearing a parka and mittens |
| Bernie on a Chair | Bernie photoshopped sitting on a chair in unlikely locations |
| Bernie with a Vaccine | Bernie holding a COVID-19 vaccine, often with humorous captions |
| Bernie as a Time Traveler | Bernie traveling through time, often to historical events or cultural touchstones |
| Bernie at the Inauguration (Again) | Bernie sitting between other politicians at the inauguration ceremony, often with awkward or disapproving expressions |

What is the origin of the Bernie meme phenomenon?
+The Bernie meme phenomenon began during the 2020 US presidential election, when a photo of Bernie Sanders wearing a parka and mittens at President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony went viral.
What is the significance of the Bernie memes?
+The Bernie memes have become a cultural touchstone and a symbol of internet humor, representing the public’s desire to poke fun at politicians and current events.
How have the Bernie memes been remixed and recontextualized?
+The Bernie memes have been remixed and recontextualized countless times, with Bernie’s image superimposed onto various backgrounds and scenarios, often with humorous captions or situations.