Donald Trump may think he’s got Twitter figured out, but in the wake of Sunday’s presidential debate, it’s more clear than ever that the social media platform’s most enduring purpose is as a meme generator.
Ken Bone, the midwest family man with a mustache and a red sweater, is the internet’s newest celebrity after he stepped into the glaring spotlight of the 2016 campaign season to ask a question about energy policy.
Within seconds, Twitter took things from there and Bone’s likeness went viral.
https://twitter.com/michmarkowitz/status/785306758906515456
https://twitter.com/emmaroller/status/785306989094117376
https://twitter.com/Ken_Bone_Memes/status/785687524144480256
https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/785559185618505728
According to one tweet, Bone had seven followers on Twitter when the debate started. Tuesday morning, the undecided voter’s real account was approaching 100,000 followers. And Bone is not shying from the attention. He’s done numerous TV interviews, including CNN, Fox and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where he spoke to the host Monday night about “how adorable he is.”
Bone said the audience members at the town hall debate weren’t allowed to have phones or electronic devices with them, so he had no idea he was blowing up the internet until he got back to his car and checked his messages. He also said there are other, better Ken Bone Twitter accounts out there among the fakes, but @kenbone18 is really him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqchRR1tZvc
https://twitter.com/kenbone18/status/785346981191352320
https://twitter.com/kenbone18/status/785348654135738368
https://twitter.com/Phil_Friend/status/785333147307089920
https://twitter.com/BarstoolBigCat/status/785310627220848640
Among the other accounts using the Ken Bone name, is @Ken_Bone, the former head basketball coach at Washington State University (2009-14) whose Twitter mentions went through the roof during the debate.
As CBS Sports pointed out, he hasn’t posted on Twitter since May 2015. If he decides to get back on, he’ll find things have changed a bit.
https://twitter.com/matt_mullin/status/785307711533555713
https://twitter.com/garolb/status/785358021849382912