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.
The #1 Halloween costume this year is obviously Ken Bone #debate pic.twitter.com/EBdVQQize9
— Michelle Markowitz (@michmarkowitz) October 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/emmaroller/status/785306989094117376
https://twitter.com/Ken_Bone_Memes/status/785687524144480256
BREAKING: The Ken Bone sweater has sold out pic.twitter.com/q9FnjeuNPa
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 10, 2016
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.
It was my wife, and yes. https://t.co/j8OZxHU7TQ
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) October 10, 2016
Yeah he does https://t.co/9v74DCDdBS
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) October 10, 2016
Game recognize game https://t.co/Ktg824cjSP
— Phil Friend (@Phil_Friend) October 10, 2016
Ken Bone taking a picture with his disposable camera so it lasts forever. Legend https://t.co/VU3ChYEaen
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 10, 2016
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.
Meet @Ken_Bone, associate head basketball coach at the University of Montana, who is going to wake up a lot of weird mentions tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/YPIjczELpm
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) October 10, 2016
@Ken_Bone Listen, coach. You've gotta start using your twitter. Your profile has never been bigger.
— Garyz (@garolb) October 10, 2016