Bernie Sanders Has Gifted the Internet a New Outdoor Dining Meme

Sen. Bernie Sanders arrived at the inauguration ceremony for President Joe Biden in an instantly iconic winter outfit that, in addition to screaming vintage Vermont chic, has given frequent outdoor diners a picture to share on social media with a caption that more or less says, “It me.”

Photos of Sanders, looking crotchety per usual in large brown-and-white mittens and a puffy beige coat, quickly spread on Twitter. Several people noticed that the combination of an isolated folding chair and an apparently chilly man in mittens reminded them of their experiences dining outdoors. Restaurants nationwide, of course, are relying on improvised patios built on streets and sidewalks — D.C. has one dedicated to Vice President Kamala Harris — to boost sales while the novel coronavirus leads officials to restrict capacity limits or shut down indoor dining altogether.

A meme was born (in front of Lady Gaga!), which was fitting because Sanders appeared to be wearing the same Burton parka he dons in another popular piece of internet fodder, a fundraising video in which he says, “I am once again asking for your financial support.”

The next time someone asks how dinner outside is going, direct them to this photo of Sanders observing the transition of power outside the U.S. Capitol.

• Bernie’s Inauguration Look Is Instantly Iconic [The Cut]
• Eater’s Guide to Inauguration Day 2021 in D.C. [EDC]