Winning the New Hampshire primary by 60 percent wasn’t the only highlight of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ Tuesday night. The longtime Vermont senator also became a trending hashtag on Twitter and the subject of a popular meme, all thanks to a minor flub by MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes.
While covering the projected results of the state’s major pre-election vote, the All In with Chris Hayes host mispronounced Sanders’ name as “Bernie Sandwiches.” He quickly recovered and moved on with the live programming, because when it comes to the 24-hour cable news media, one should never let a minor mistake ruin the broadcast. Unfortunately for Hayes, the internet never forgets and always remembers — especially when it comes to all things politics.
Maybe that’s why Hayes’ face changed slightly as soon as “Bernie Sandwiches” left his lips. He knew that, despite all his efforts to cruise through the error and continue broadcasting, his words were about to become a meme. He was right, as Twitter jumped at the chance to replace the Subway $5 footlong-sized hole in its collective heart.
https://twitter.com/kitscheart/status/697320310631059456
I made a #BernieSandwich pic.twitter.com/wNPIVAOUun
— alli katz (@allikatz) February 10, 2016
Obama, Hillary and Joe enjoying their Bernie Sandwich after the #NHPrimary #BernieSandwich #BernieSandwiches pic.twitter.com/6IJpjlkhOP
— Saul Danger (@SaulDangerM) February 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/quigleyhq/status/697258704568078337
@DomDiFurio The people of Tumblr will always have you covered. #BernieSandwich pic.twitter.com/BFfpxljAua
— Julia Shumway (@JMShumway) February 10, 2016
Congratulations on your win! We in no way support you, financially or otherwise. #BernieSandwich pic.twitter.com/FNeiQSnuSR
— NotBerniesSuperPAC (@not_PAC) February 10, 2016
That's one raw #BernieSandwich right there. I hope it's on the Dollar Menu. Consuming too many gives me #HeartBern pic.twitter.com/xbYwGaXJbv
— Eric Willoughby (@willouej) February 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/darth/status/697247470309482501
Unsurprisingly (and probably to Sanders’ disappointment, if he ever knew), Hayes’ words were just as quickly converted into a minor capitalistic enterprise via a new t-shirt design.
Which brand will be first to capitalize on #BernieSandwich? Looking at you @Arbys…
— Brian Ries (@moneyries) February 10, 2016
Somebody made a #BernieSandwich t-shirt already!!! https://t.co/c6HPGcvYUh pic.twitter.com/Zf2HQswZwl
— Brian Ries (@moneyries) February 10, 2016
Most were happy to poke fun at Hayes’ flub, the idea of the “Bernie Sandwich” and more.
My 10 year old daughter: "Mommy did you hear that guy say Bernie Sandwich!?" #BernieSandwich #LiveTV #ItHappens https://t.co/7twFAGRMst
— Kate Snow (@tvkatesnow) February 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/eharfenist/status/697253653921583105
Is there any restaurant in #Boston that will deliver me a Bernie Sandwich? #berniesandwich
— Phantom Gourmet (@PhantomGourmet) February 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/Pat_Healy/status/697242138828910592
While others were quick to use the virality to condemn Sanders, Democrats, socialists and the like.
https://twitter.com/Imaumbn/status/697330113583550465
https://twitter.com/liars_never_win/status/697278234942001152
I'm making a Bernie Sandwich
I take food from other people's refrigerator— Edwin Dearborn (@edwindearborn) February 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/SirajAHashmi/status/697237659668910081
For his own part, Hayes gave a fairly reasonable defense for his mispronunciation.
In my defense I was literally watching people being served dinner when I said #BernieSandwiches
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) February 10, 2016
(Via Mashable)