Friendship Bracelets and Eyeliner: The Internet Reacts to the Vance-Walz Debate | US elections 2024

TTwo of the most talked about characters on social media went head to head during the vice presidential debate. On one side: the folksy, avuncular, pet-loving governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. On the other side: Ohio Sen. JD Vance, whose campaign blunders — clumsy ordering donuts, railing against “childless cat ladies” — are prime meme fodder. Whatever happened on the debate stage or in the spin rooms, the most viewed analysis is happening on social media.

Right from the start, viewers and commentators noted the difference between Walz and Vance's debate style. When asked the first question about the emerging crisis in the Middle East, Walz appeared nervous and fumbled with the topics of conversation. Vance tried to avoid the question. Because why talk about Iran when you can remind people that you wrote the New York Times bestseller Hillbilly Elegy?

“Weird Science,” a reference to John Hughes’ 1985 teen sci-fi film, became one of the first catchphrases of the night after Vance mentioned it in reference to the climate crisis. Perhaps not the best choice of words for someone whose opponent often described himself as “strange” during the election campaign – much to the delight of younger voters.

Vance's appearance sparked one of the most persistent conspiracy theories of this election: Does the Ohio senator wear eyeliner? His wife Usha Vance has denied the rumors, telling Puck fashion correspondent Lauren Sherman: “They're all natural.” Still, Twitter/X users delighted in comparing Vance's debate night look to emo musicians or teenager Miley Cyrus. Still, one person was impressed by Vance's appearance: former state representative and convicted felon George Santos, who tweeted, “Can anyone confirm Vance is on Ozempic?” He looks thin and good!”

And what about Walz? Attentive viewers spotted a friendship bracelet on the governor's wrist. Some wondered if it was a reference to Taylor Swift, who supports Kamala Harris and counts the accessory as part of her brand. The Harris campaign sells a similar style for $20. Maybe he ordered one.

The debate moderators also got time in the spotlight. When CBS News' Margaret Brennan tried to move on from a question about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, Vance wouldn't let her and instead tried to talk about a special emergency visa. As he continued to talk about her, Brennan said tensely, “Thank you, Senator, for explaining the legal process.”

Vance also whined when moderators corrected a comment about immigration. “You said you wouldn’t check on me,” he groaned, as if angry at journalists for doing their jobs. Viewers at home were struck by the absurdity of his statement. But conservative commentator Megyn Kelly tweeted in disbelief: “For you, CBS – how dare you?” Meanwhile, at Truth Social, Donald Trump disparagingly referred to the moderators as “young ladies” who were “extremely biased” while watching the debate had presented in sections.

One of Walz's biggest blunders of the night came during a question about gun control when the governor said, “I was friends with school shooters.” A slip of the tongue, but conservative social media accounts have latched on to such a crazy statement and one of the strangest lines of the evening.

At the end of the evening, Walz managed to deliver his planned closing statement amicably, thanking Americans who had skipped “Dancing with the Stars” to watch the debate and bragging about Harris' coalition of supporters “of Bernie Sanders to Dick”. Cheney, to Taylor Swift” – quite a line-up.

As the evening came to a close, many on social media wondered who the debate was for. Most people watching together online know exactly how they will vote in November. One of the most compelling reasons to attend such a circus: to understand the next day's memes. At least, as the moderators reminded us before signing off, this was the last debate of the election season – the last time we would have to go through something like this.