After what felt like an eternity since the 2020 presidential election was called and another eon since the pro-MAGA coup at the Capitol, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was officially sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021 as the 46th president of the United States. Kamala D. Harris was also sworn in as the 49th vice president — more specifically the first female, Black, South Asian and HBCU-graduate vice president. But since COVID-19 is still very much a reality in the U.S., many Americans celebrated the historical and momentous occasion on the internet since digital is inherently CDC-approved (and celebrating in person might not have been wholly possible anyhow). While the ceremony mostly went as planned, leave it to folks on the internet to find humor in the minute and mundane.
As the adage goes: “the internet remains undefeated.” From Bernie Sanders’ mittens (and general “waiting at the post office” vibe) to Lady Gaga’s Hunger Games-esque brooch, here is a roundup of the funniest and most popular memes from the 2021 inauguration.
New Jersey Senator and former presidential candidate, Cory Booker with the wordplay (number-play?), saying “It was very cold out today. It was -45.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKR9BpesGyn/
Today’s Al Roker getting a fist bump from Biden, reenacting the gesture in 2013 during the inauguration of President Barack Obama’s second term.
Al Roker Joe Biden
🤝
Inaugurations pic.twitter.com/wVdswQMlI2— Melea M. (@MeleaAdrianna) January 20, 2021
Lady Gaga’s accessories and styling choices seemed to resemble iconography from popular film franchises.
Lady Gaga went from Star Wars to Hunger Games real quick. pic.twitter.com/VD1BWfAyAT
— Pope 🩸 (@PopeChromaticus) January 20, 2021
Gaga living for the “Applause.”
I live for the pic.twitter.com/10AvmpnNhD
— Rose Dommu (@rosedommu) January 20, 2021
Wishful-thinking improvisation during Jennifer Lopez’s performance of “This Land is Your Land.”
"this land is your land, this land is my land from Brazil, Morocco, London to Ibiza, straight to LA, New York, Vegas to Africa" 🎶 pic.twitter.com/48FQiZn5If
— eric schwartau (@ericschmerick) January 20, 2021
The internet’s true MVP, however, was a sitting, bundled-up Bernie Sanders and his mittens.
a person only needs one good coat https://t.co/TYtoS0Hb8h
— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) January 20, 2021
Many noted the casualness of Sanders’ outfit and his perceived demeanor.
Looking warm, @BernieSanders. pic.twitter.com/YcasZJ0iT3
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) January 20, 2021
LMFAO “Ima swing by Joe’s thing for a minute.” https://t.co/FBo5IoxFA1
— Brianna (@shes_the_maNN1) January 20, 2021
Then came the inevitable Photoshopping!
Bernie having Lunch atop a Skyscraper.
bernie sanders can go anywhere#InaugurationDay #BernieSanders pic.twitter.com/gek4LUfif0
— Madeline Carl (@madeline__carl) January 20, 2021
Bernie in New York City.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKRjsqtHamR/
Bernie vibing to some lo-fi hip hop while commuting on the MTA.
Presenting: Lofi Bernie Sanders. pic.twitter.com/BIKFjaabYO
— GOOD (@good) January 20, 2021
Bernie as the fly that landed on former vice president Mike Pence’s head during his October 2020 debate with current Vice President Harris.
Omg. pic.twitter.com/kyf9holXKw
— Cathy Yan (@CathyYan) January 21, 2021
Bernie stuck between an “entanglement.”
— mose (@bosemergmann) January 20, 2021
Bernie sitting with Marina Abramović.
— R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) January 20, 2021
Bernie sitting on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.
Bernie Sanders, first of his name, Wearer of Mittens, Sitter of Chairs pic.twitter.com/1j6p8mrdlr
— Matthew Mucha (@mattymooch) January 20, 2021
Bernie sitting on the throne from the opening credits to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Okay, I’m going to bed now 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Fresh Prince of #BernieSanders 💀🤣🤣 My My My what 3 Wednesdays in January will do! #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/l6TCBdTsjf
— Brice Izyah (@BriceIzyah) January 21, 2021
Bernie sitting on the May Queen’s throne in Midsommar.
https://twitter.com/nisadang/status/1351969715057532928
Bernie as an honorary member of The Golden Girls.
— Canadian, living out loud, queerly 🇨🇦 🌈 (@TheStranger2014) January 21, 2021
Bernie challenging you to change his mind about universal health care.
I made this Bernie sitting meme to contribute to the cause pic.twitter.com/kvHADLRFJI
— DJ-KIMchi 🍥 (@djjkim) January 20, 2021
Bernie’s implied inner monologue.
“This could’ve been an email” pic.twitter.com/kn68z6eDhY
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) January 20, 2021
Bernie’s implied inner monologue as Watchmen‘s Dr. Manhattan.
— Matt Apodaca (@mattapodaca) January 20, 2021
Bernie helping Molly (Demi Moore) with her pottery in Ghost.
The new Bernie meme is the gift that keeps on giving… https://t.co/O6WWwxJYx7
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) January 21, 2021
While you’re not able to buy Sanders’ mittens, you can certainly try to “steal the look.”
Shoes: model's own. pic.twitter.com/ZwbgEpNspJ
— Burton Snowboards (@burtonsnowboard) January 20, 2021
