Bernie Sanders becomes a warming statement sweater

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US Senator Sanders outside the Capitol in Washington DC on January 20: Just keep warm and listen

Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP

He just wanted to keep warm and listen in peace, said US Senator Bernie Sanders after his memorable appearance at the inauguration ceremony of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris last Wednesday.

In fact, the 79-year-old Vermont politician, known for his staunchly left-wing liberal stance and friendly grumpiness, would hardly have tried to become an Internet meme.

Nevertheless, the photo of Sanders in the decidedly informal working class chic, thickly wrapped in a dark green functional jacket, his hands clasped over his body in huge woolen gloves, became a lovingly smirked sensation on the Internet within a few hours: everyone was wearing the state and in a chic suit or coat , just not Bernie, the "grumpy old man" with his "mittens," as the mittens are called in English.

Thousands upon thousands assembled the picture of Sanders in his shivering, involuntarily defiant-looking pose on Twitter and other social media in the most impossible situations.

We have brought together some of the most beautiful ones here.

Team Sanders reacted with humor to the Internet hype, which did not subside even after days.

The campaign website of the independent East Coast Senator now offers a simple, dark and probably warm cotton sweatshirt with the iconic photo.

Only small is »Bernie« under the picture, Sanders has become his own brand, and the hashtag #berniesmittens maybe something like a statement against the social cold in the country.

The sweater costs 45 dollars, but all of the proceeds are to be donated to the Meals on Wheels organization in the state of Vermont, which, analogous to similar “Meals on Wheels” facilities in Germany and Europe, delivers home meals to retirees and those in need of care.

The garment was made in the United States by a unionized company, as noted below the description.

Hardly surprising: after just a few days, the statement sweater is a hit - and sold out.

The Sanders website asks your patience: "Because of the overwhelming demand for this item, it will be three to six weeks before you get this sweatshirt here." By then, US politics may have got a little warmer again .

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