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US Vice President Kamala Harris, a leading candidate in the Democratic presidential race, has gained new momentum from viral memes about her “coconut tree” comment from last year.
Harris is now in the spotlight as President Biden has passed the baton to her. Reports suggest she has secured the majority of the Democrats for nominations, and she is also gaining significant attention on social media, where the internet is flooded with “coconut tree” memes and quirky edits of Harris, turning her odd moments into a viral sensation, according to the New York Post.
The “coconut tree” meme traces back to a speech Harris gave in May 2023, where she recalled her mother’s remark: “I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” Her distinctive laugh and the offbeat anecdote have become a source of both mockery and newfound enthusiasm on social media.
With President Joe Biden’s abrupt exit from the race, Harris’s candidacy has gained momentum, leading to a resurgence of the coconut meme. Liberal TikTokers are now turning the meme into a social media campaign, attempting to channel Harris’s “weird aunt energy” into something that resonates with younger voters.
Democratic leaders have joined in, using the meme to show their support for Harris. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii shared a photo of himself harvesting coconuts with the caption, “Madam Vice President, we are ready to help.” Colorado governor Jared Polis and Illinois governor JB Pritzker also embraced the coconut theme, with Polis posting emojis of a coconut, a palm tree, and the US flag while Pritzker playfully referencing the meme to dismiss speculation about his own presidential ambitions.
In addition to this, British pop star Charli XCX has contributed to Harris’s rising profile by dubbing her a “brat” in a tweet that has garnered over 23 million views. Charli XCX’s fans have embraced the term as part of a broader “girl boss” movement, celebrating powerful women in the public eye.
Social media influencers also jumped on the bandwagon, remixing Harris’s coconut quip and other viral moments with high-energy rap music. One TikTok user, leiasskywalkers, celebrated the unexpected impact of the coconut meme with a video set to Kesha’s music, reflecting on how a seemingly trivial comment might propel Harris to victory.
However, some users have expressed strong dissent. “Moving out of the United States if Kamala gets elected because hell naw,” wrote user williamroy634.
Harris’s embrace of social media and meme culture is part of a broader strategy by the White House to connect with younger voters. During her first year as vice president, the White House engaged influencers like Benny Drama to boost its social media presence, showcasing Harris’s willingness to engage with contemporary digital trends.
Harris is now in the spotlight as President Biden has passed the baton to her. Reports suggest she has secured the majority of the Democrats for nominations, and she is also gaining significant attention on social media, where the internet is flooded with “coconut tree” memes and quirky edits of Harris, turning her odd moments into a viral sensation, according to the New York Post.
The “coconut tree” meme traces back to a speech Harris gave in May 2023, where she recalled her mother’s remark: “I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” Her distinctive laugh and the offbeat anecdote have become a source of both mockery and newfound enthusiasm on social media.
With President Joe Biden’s abrupt exit from the race, Harris’s candidacy has gained momentum, leading to a resurgence of the coconut meme. Liberal TikTokers are now turning the meme into a social media campaign, attempting to channel Harris’s “weird aunt energy” into something that resonates with younger voters.
Democratic leaders have joined in, using the meme to show their support for Harris. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii shared a photo of himself harvesting coconuts with the caption, “Madam Vice President, we are ready to help.” Colorado governor Jared Polis and Illinois governor JB Pritzker also embraced the coconut theme, with Polis posting emojis of a coconut, a palm tree, and the US flag while Pritzker playfully referencing the meme to dismiss speculation about his own presidential ambitions.
In addition to this, British pop star Charli XCX has contributed to Harris’s rising profile by dubbing her a “brat” in a tweet that has garnered over 23 million views. Charli XCX’s fans have embraced the term as part of a broader “girl boss” movement, celebrating powerful women in the public eye.
Social media influencers also jumped on the bandwagon, remixing Harris’s coconut quip and other viral moments with high-energy rap music. One TikTok user, leiasskywalkers, celebrated the unexpected impact of the coconut meme with a video set to Kesha’s music, reflecting on how a seemingly trivial comment might propel Harris to victory.
However, some users have expressed strong dissent. “Moving out of the United States if Kamala gets elected because hell naw,” wrote user williamroy634.
Harris’s embrace of social media and meme culture is part of a broader strategy by the White House to connect with younger voters. During her first year as vice president, the White House engaged influencers like Benny Drama to boost its social media presence, showcasing Harris’s willingness to engage with contemporary digital trends.
