sotu

It’s that time of year again – the State of the Union address is upon us. And with it comes a flood of political memes, jokes, and commentary. But this year, the focus seems to be on the Democratic response. From Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s side-eye to Nancy Pelosi’s clap, the internet is buzzing with SOTU Democratic memes.

The Infamous Pelosi Clap

Perhaps the most well-known meme to come out of the 2019 State of the Union address was Nancy Pelosi’s “sarcastic clap”. As President Trump wrapped up his speech, Pelosi stood and slowly, deliberately clapped her hands, looking directly at the camera. The moment quickly went viral, with many interpreting it as a clear message of disapproval.

But what do people who know Pelosi think of the moment? According to former Democratic Congressman Barney Frank, Pelosi’s clap was a “brilliant gesture”. Speaking to CNN, Frank praised Pelosi’s ability to “convey disapproval in a way that didn’t seem angry or hostile”.

AOC’s Side-Eye Steals the Show

While Pelosi’s clap may have been the most talked-about moment of the SOTU, it was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s side-eye that stole the show. As Trump declared that “America will never be a socialist country”, the camera cut to AOC, who looked less than impressed. The moment quickly went viral, with many interpreting it as a clear message of defiance.

So what do people who know AOC think of the moment? According to former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir, AOC’s side-eye was “a powerful moment”. Speaking to The Guardian, Shakir praised AOC’s ability to “capture the frustration and anger that many Americans feel towards the Trump administration”.

Other Memes and Reactions

Of course, Pelosi’s clap and AOC’s side-eye were just two of the many SOTU Democratic memes to go viral. From photoshopped images of Pelosi wearing sunglasses to gifs of AOC dancing, the internet was awash with humorous takes on the evening’s events.

But what do people think of the broader trend of using memes and humor to comment on politics? According to comedian and political commentator John Oliver, “humor has always been an important tool for criticizing those in power”. Speaking to The New Yorker, Oliver argued that “memes and jokes can be a way to engage people who might not otherwise be interested in politics”.

The Future of Political Satire?

So what does the rise of SOTU Democratic memes say about the future of political satire? According to media studies professor Jonathan Gray, “memes and social media have become an important way for people to engage with politics”. Speaking to The Washington Post, Gray argued that “meme culture is a way for people to express their political views in a way that’s accessible and shareable”.

But while SOTU Democratic memes may be the latest trend in political satire, they’re certainly not without their detractors. Some critics argue that memes and humor trivialize serious political issues, while others worry that they contribute to the erosion of political discourse.

The Bottom Line

Love them or hate them, SOTU Democratic memes are here to stay. As social media continues to play an increasingly important role in politics, it’s likely that we’ll see even more humorous takes on political events in the years to come. Whether these memes are a positive or negative force remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.