Bernie Sanders is an American politician who ran for president in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Amidst his relentless campaigns, he became a popular internet meme after a photo of him sitting motionless at President Joe Biden's inauguration went viral. In the photo, Sanders was seen wearing a casual winter sportswear manufacturer, a pair of mittens, and a surgical mask. The image of him sitting crossed leg, with his mittened hands folded, went viral and became one of the most iconic memes of the year. Fans of the politician soon started coming up with creative ways to make memes using the photo. However, the most exciting thing was that his team sold merchandise featuring the meme, such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, and stickers. Read on to know more about Bernie Sanders' meme merchandise.

1. The genesis of the meme

Bernie Sanders' meme first took off on social media after Biden's inauguration ceremony. The image of the politician in his casual attire, sitting alone in the crowds, became a punchline for jokes and memes. People began to add his image to different scenarios ranging from photos of different movies to historical events. Soon Sanders' image became ubiquitous on the internet and cemented itself as one of the defining moments of 2021.

2. The Bernie Sanders Sweatshirts

The meme soon transcended the internet, and Bernie Sanders teamed up with his campaign to start selling merchandise that featured the meme. The most popular of these merchandise were the Bernie Sanders Sweatshirts. The grey sweatshirts featured the meme of the senator sitting with his mittens juxtaposed against different backgrounds such as city skylines, Star Wars, and The Simpsons. The sweatshirts were a hit with loyal supporters of the senator, and they were quickly sold out.

3. The Popularity of Bernie Sanders Meme Merchandise

The Bernie Sanders sweatshirts and other merchandise quickly gained popularity and were photographed being worn by people all over the world. The senator's campaign also used the meme, which had become a brand, to raise funds. The merch, which includes hoodies, stickers, pins, and phone cases, was sold via the senator's website and put the meme into the hands of his supporters.

4. Charitable Purpose

The proceeds from the Bernie Sanders merchandise also went towards a good cause. The money generated from the sales was donated to different charities such as Meals on Wheels and Vermont-led nonprofits. In a statement, the senator said the success of the memes and merch campaign reflected the work his team had done in engaging people across the country.

5. A Point to Note

It should be noted that Bernie Sanders didn't create the meme or its merchandise. However, he capitalized on its popularity by selling merchandise featuring the meme. The merchandise not only increased the senator's visibility but also became an excellent tool for raising funds for charity.

Conclusion:

The Bernie Sanders' meme is an example of how a random moment can become a viral sensation. The lawmaker's team's decision to sell merchandise featuring the meme is an excellent example of contemporary marketing. Bernie Sanders' merchandise, which included sweatshirts, stickers, hoodies, and phone cases, was extremely popular and reflected the senator's popularity. The success of the campaign was also a testament to Sanders' social media team's ability to engage his supporters. Overall, it was a fun and unique way to fundraise via the meme merchandise, and the proceeds went towards a good cause.