On Wednesday (January 20),Joe Bidenofficially became the 46th president of the United States. Hisinaugurationwas memorable for many reasons — fromKamala Harrisbecoming the first Black, Indian-American, and female Vice President to 22-year-oldAmanda Gormanmaking history as the youngest knownInaugural poet— but it wasBernie Sanderswho became meme-ified after a photographer snapped a candid picture of the Vermont Senator sitting cross-legged in a chair, away from everyone, masked and bundled up in a jacket and mittens made from recycled sweaters. While the photo lent itself to plopping the politician into pretty much any scenario, it was album covers and band photos that quickly became the scene of choice (there's already anInstagram accountdedicated to Bernie album covers).
Bernie had the most Berniereactionwhen asked about the meme during a visit toLate Night With Seth Meyers. “I was just sitting there trying to keep warm, trying to pay attention to what was going on,” he recalled. “What was really nice is the woman who made the mittens lives in Essex Junction, Vermont, she is a schoolteacher and a very, very nice person. She has been somewhat overwhelmed by the kind of attention that is being shown to her mittens.” In fact, the Senator's cashing in on the meme and selling sweatshirts on hiswebsiteto raise money for Vermont Meals on Wheels.
Dozens of bands took a stab at adding Bernie to their most iconic album covers and photo shoots. Take a look at some of our favorites below.