These are some of Toronto's takes on the viral Bernie Sanders mittens meme
The fashion at Wednesday's U.S. presidential inauguration was arguably nearly as iconic and memorable as the event itself, but one attendee in particular stole the show without even trying: Bernie Sanders.
While Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris and Jill Biden's jewel-toned looks were bright, cheery and undeniably beautiful, Sanders opted for a different approach, rewearing a pair of hand-knitted mittens and his iconic Burton coat.
One particular photo of the senator sitting in his seat looking underdressed and unimpressed has since gone viral, with people all over the world photoshopping Sanders into all kinds of hilarious locations and iconic photos.
ok let’s do this. a thread of my fave #bernie memes. original to start. pic.twitter.com/J5FBcWoX1w
— k8 🦉🦌❄️🌕🌲✨🌏☃️ (@prairey) January 21, 2021
The meme has gone so viral, in fact, that people in Toronto have even started inserting Sanders into scenes around the city, and the results are hysterical.
One of the first memes showing Sanders in Toronto to make its way around the internet this week was one of the senator sitting atop the CN Tower, just like Drake on the album cover of Views.
Being a Trekkie, I have to like it. No choice. Apparently Bernie found his way up here to Toronto’s CN Tower. He’ll need those mittens. 🇨🇦🇺🇸👍 pic.twitter.com/Uju8vWO2En
— Paul 🇨🇦🍺🏌🏼♀️🏒 (@Paulintoronto47) January 21, 2021
Shortly after the meme went viral, someone created a website that inserts Bernie at any address available on Google Streetmaps, and it's certainly being put to good use.
Several restaurants in Toronto are now using the meme to promote their businesses, including but not limited to What A Bagel, Square Boy and Found Coffee Toronto.
One resident also shared a photo of Sanders sitting outside the TIFF Bell Lightbox waiting to purchase tickets to the festival.
Bernie leading the charge + awaiting tix for #TIFF2021. We can't wait @TIFF_NET 📽️🥰👏 pic.twitter.com/jdj8F69GYa
— Michelle (@MsFilmLibrarian) January 21, 2021
Another photo meanwhile shows Sanders sitting next to the Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square while holding a Maple Leafs flag.
Room Rater Where’s Bernie At. @BernieSanders has somehow made it to Canada, and was even spotted at Canadian Rater’s favourite brewery. @YellowDogBeer @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/HNPaO8hmWG
— Room Rater (@ratemyskyperoom) January 21, 2021
Globe and Mail deputy arts editor Barry Hertz even made the meme more relevant to what the city is talking about right now by posting a photo of Sanders sitting in front of Toronto's Dominion Foundry and trying to stop its demolition.
Naturally, only one man can stand up to the destruction of Toronto's Dominion Foundry pic.twitter.com/73xMttzks4
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) January 21, 2021
Sanders has also been photoshopped in front of the ROM, in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood and of course, in front of the Dufferin Mall.
This is wonderful, I brought Bernie to the ROM https://t.co/lQaNaFXoha pic.twitter.com/Yz7b3YjEbK
— Elamin Abdelmahmoud (@elamin88) January 21, 2021
A photo of the senator on the Toronto Islands is also making its rounds, though he appears laughably overdressed in contrast with the sunny summer scene.
Bernie on the Toronto Islands https://t.co/hfFtlJ7ZKa pic.twitter.com/ntXCzD9qC6
— Chester Scoville (@ChesterScoville) January 21, 2021
And even Mayor John Tory is now using the meme to try and convince people to wear masks.
Don’t take it from me, take it from Bernie. Wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/d837RkLmOD
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 21, 2021
Sanders was likely trying to do the opposite of stand out when he selected his inauguration day outfit and went with the most functional, sustainable option rather than the most fashionable, making it even more hilarious that his look has become the most notable of the entire event.
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