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Bernie Sanders memes take over the internet during, after inauguration | TribLIVE.com
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Bernie Sanders memes take over the internet during, after inauguration

Teghan Simonton
Teghan Simonton
3451608_web1_3451608-c76e88a024eb4d2eaf9640f6d01916de
Pool via AP
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
3451608_web1_3451608-d479b71f20044bb19692b7ad0145e447
Pool via AP
Attendees including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., listen during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
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Ben Schmitt | Tribune-Review
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders stumped in November for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in this file photo from the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Rankin.

Bernie Sanders may not have stolen the show during Wednesday’s presidential inauguration.

But he clearly won the internet.

At President Joe Biden’s inauguration, a few moments stood out among the festivities: the poem recited by 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, the collage of colorful coats worn by all the women involved in the event, Biden’s sober speech and the swearing in of Kamala Harris, the first female, Black vice president and first of Asian descent.

Not to be upstaged was Sanders, the crusty 79-year-old senator from Vermont.

The New York Times’ fashion critic, Vanessa Friedman, couldn’t get over the mittens he wore. “In all the inauguration fashion news, let us not overlook Senator Bernie Sanders’ mittens,” she tweeted.

Sanders drew lots of attention on the internet for his attire — hand-knit mittens and what appears to be the same warm coat he wore in his first internet meme — and for his matter-of-fact stance in the audience. During the festivities, he could be seen sitting with his legs and armed crossed, seemingly separated from the rest of the group.

Within moments, the image of Sanders flooded social media channels.

• The Benstonium Twitter account added Sanders to the photo of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sitting dejectedly on the bench after the team’s wild-card playoff loss Jan. 10 to the Cleveland Browns. Speculation over Roethlisberger’s future was the topic at hand.

• Sanders slouched in his chair conjured images of a Pittsburgh staple: the parking chair.

• Sanders in his chair surfaced at Kennywood with Cowboy Joe and on the old Logjammer.

• Sanders even ended up on the moon and with Forrest Gump.

Of course, the mittens now have a Twitter account.

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