As we reflect on the events of 2022, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that political memes had on shaping public opinion and discourse. From the hilarious to the thought-provoking, here are some of the best political memes of 2022.
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The “Bernie Mitten” Meme
One of the most viral memes of the year featured Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who was spotted wearing a pair of handmade mittens at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The image of Sanders sitting cross-legged, bundled up in a parka and mask, quickly spread across social media and was Photoshopped into countless scenarios. Some people found the meme to be an amusing distraction from the political chaos of the day, while others saw it as a symbol of Sanders’ down-to-earth authenticity. Comment from Twitter user @BernieBro123: “I love how this meme shows that Bernie is just like us, a regular person who cares about staying warm in the winter!”
The “Ted Cruz in Cancun” Meme
In February 2022, Texas Senator Ted Cruz was caught taking a family vacation to Cancun, Mexico, while his state was experiencing a devastating winter storm and power grid failure. The backlash was swift and merciless, and the internet responded with a flood of memes mocking Cruz’s decision to abandon his constituents in their time of need. Some of the most popular memes featured Cruz Photoshopped into images of tropical destinations, like the beach from “Cast Away” or the island from “Lost.” Comment from Reddit user u/TexasProud123: “This meme perfectly captures the hypocrisy of Ted Cruz. He talks a big game about being a ‘true Texan,’ but when the going gets tough, he heads for the beach.”
The “Let’s Go Brandon” Meme
In October 2022, a NASCAR driver named Brandon Brown won a race, and an NBC reporter mistakenly thought that the crowd was chanting “Let’s go Brandon!” in support of him. In reality, the crowd was actually chanting an expletive directed at President Biden. The phrase “Let’s go Brandon” quickly became a conservative rallying cry, and memes featuring the phrase popped up all over social media. Some people saw the meme as a harmless joke, while others saw it as a disrespectful and divisive attack on the president. Comment from Facebook user Jane Smith: “I think this meme is hilarious! It’s a clever way to express dissatisfaction with the current administration without resorting to name-calling or violence.”
The “Pete Buttigieg on a Bike” Meme
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made waves in May 2022 when he was photographed riding a bike to a Cabinet meeting. The image of Buttigieg, wearing a suit and helmet, quickly went viral and inspired a flood of memes. Some people saw the meme as a refreshing change from the stuffy traditions of Washington, while others saw it as a shallow attempt to pander to younger voters. Comment from Instagram user @BikeEnthusiast: “I love this meme! It shows that politicians can be active and healthy, just like the rest of us.”
The “Kamala Harris Side-Eye” Meme
During a debate in September 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris was caught on camera giving a skeptical side-eye to a statement made by her opponent. The moment quickly became a meme, with people adding captions like “When you’re the only one in the group project doing any work” or “When your friend says they don’t like pizza.” Some people saw the meme as a lighthearted way to poke fun at the vice president’s facial expressions, while others saw it as a sexist and disrespectful attack on a powerful woman. Comment from Twitter user @FeministFlamingo: “This meme is so frustrating! It’s yet another example of how women in power are judged on their appearance and demeanor rather than their ideas and actions.” In conclusion, political memes have become an integral part of our online discourse, and they often reflect the mood and attitudes of the moment. Whether they make us laugh or make us think, they remind us that politics doesn’t always have to be serious and stuffy. What were your favorite political memes of 2022? Let us know in the comments!
