Mitch McConnell is discovering that the internet has a very dark sense of humor.
After the 84-year-old Kentucky senator returned to Capitol Hill following a three-month absence, AI-generated memes quickly transformed him into the star of a political version of Weekend at Bernie’s — complete with videos showing the longtime senator being wheeled around and placed into increasingly ridiculous situations.
One viral AI creation even recasts McConnell as Bernie Lomax, the supposedly dead character from the 1989 comedy. Other AI videos have him performing wheelchair stunts that would make an Olympic athlete nervous.
But the memes got an extra boost after an awkward moment during a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting.
As McConnell prepared to vote on the Farm Bill, fellow Republicans leaned over to coach him through the vote. At one point, Sen. John Hoeven appeared to tell McConnell to vote “no,” while McConnell quietly said “aye.” Staffers and other Republicans then stepped in to clarify what was happening. McConnell ultimately voted yes.
The internet, naturally, did not let the moment pass quietly.
Within hours, social media had apparently decided that Washington had found its newest buddy comedy: Weekend at Mitch’s.
McConnell is retiring from the Senate in January, but judging by the AI memes, the internet isn’t ready to let his final act go quietly.