The world didn’t end on Inauguration Day, but there were anti-Trump protests and turmoil in the streets as Donald Trump officially became the leader of the free world. To cope with Friday’s ceremonies and democracy’s public demise, many of us nervously laughed the pain away before resigning to do everything we can to prevent the new POTUS and his Republican majority from undoing all the progress that we’ve made and making it that much more difficult to achieve the progress we still strive for. Laughter is not only great medicine, it’s also what every other country on the planet is doing at us right now! So, as we join them in “WTF is happening,” we look to the Internet’s great minds to truly satirize this dark, dark day.
For the Trumps and the Obamas, the morning began with tea. (For me, vodka.) During the meeting, social media noticed an incredibly awkward moment when Melania handed Michelle, who strongly denounced the Donald during the campaign, a large box from Tiffany & Co. Michelle’s face was priceless.
*record scratch* *freeze frame* yep. that's me. you're probably wondering how i got in this situation- pic.twitter.com/8lpCnM8rR4
— talia jane (@itsa_talia) January 20, 2017
Michelle Obama is not impressed by Melania Trump's gift giving ability. pic.twitter.com/QxJzQGnQDa
— Adam Johnson (@AdamJNBA) January 20, 2017
Kellyanne Conway’s outfit was the subject of some criticism. Mainly because it looked like some form of Revolutionary War cosplay. Apparently, the Gucci coat was designed to honor London. Whose side is she on anyway?
Kellyanne Conway’s 18th century cosplay is in honor of the incoming government’s approach to science and women’s health pic.twitter.com/mKFnGYYf8e
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) January 20, 2017
There aren't a lot of nice things I can say about Kellyanne Conway but one is I think she would have made a better Javert than Russell Crowe pic.twitter.com/AyEVSZNwDP
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) January 20, 2017
Kellyanne Conway's $3600 @gucci coat was designed to celebrate the city of … London. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/OKC9Nr4Wdf
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) January 20, 2017
Barron Trump’s reactions to the affair were oddly relatable: annoyed and exhausted.
Barron Trump will be mutilating cats on the white house lawn in like two weeks
— joe mande ❤️ China (@JoeMande) January 20, 2017
Hillary Clinton just whispered to Barron Trump that there is no Santa Claus
— Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) January 20, 2017
Hillary made her first public appearance since Nov. 9.
"Girl"
"Girl I know girl" pic.twitter.com/f2YkzyDUWh— love U forever (@jersing) January 20, 2017
As promised, Hillary Clinton is wearing white. White has been a symbol of women's suffrage since 1908. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/WQx14NZmbx
— Yashar (@yashar) January 20, 2017
Of course, all the dignitaries showed up.
Dignitaries Arrive at Capitol for Inauguration pic.twitter.com/BNKNiAfjWj
— david r corrigan (@r0ckn3) January 20, 2017
But many, many people did not show up. Sad!
The crowd size comparison, from 2009 and today. pic.twitter.com/iMYZy9PRK8
— Matt Viser (@mviser) January 20, 2017
"Massive Turnout"
Metro Ridership as of 11am
Trump: 193k
Obama 2: 317k
Obama 1: 513k
WBush 2: 197k— Jay Franzone (@JayFranzone) January 20, 2017
To all those who didn’t watch, an excellent burn in your honor.
Oh wow! "The King and the Chorus Girl" is on @tcm right now! Super-underrated flick. Joan Blondell is amazing!
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 20, 2017
For others, it was like watching a car crash. You know you shouldn’t look but you somehow just can’t look away.
what a beautiful prayer. makes me wanna grab my puss
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 20, 2017
TRUMP: Most importantly, we will be protected by God.
GOD: I voted for Hillary.
#Inauguration— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) January 20, 2017
A subtle reminder for Trump supporters who are upset about #DisruptJ20. https://t.co/iYCwCczYWB
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) January 20, 2017
Why the fuck does Trump do the Italian finger kiss move (👌) with his hands so much? How is THAT one of his default hand postures
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) January 20, 2017
People also had some critiques regarding the performances at the nation’s funeral inauguration.
Theory: Trump's Romney meeting was about getting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the inauguration, not for a cabinet post
— Erin 🎶Gloria🎶 Ryan (@morninggloria) January 20, 2017
Isn't American Carnage opening for 3 Doors Down next week?
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) January 20, 2017
@Middleditch Cuttin to the core. Give Trump some credit for creating 5 new jobs because you know those dudes hadn't worked in a while. pic.twitter.com/tIhknugf8t
— Zac Newton🐈 (@zacnewton) January 20, 2017
That's it. I'm throwing out all my 3 Doors Down cd's.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 20, 2017
While others noted the changing of the guard on Twitter.
Donald Trump’s banner image is from Obama’s 2009 inauguration (h/t @4evrmalone) pic.twitter.com/TWMI1HryAh
— Freddie Campion (@FreddieCampion) January 20, 2017
Citizen comrades goose step past inauguration, protesting Trump. "Make Russia great again!!" pic.twitter.com/A7TW0owAr3
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 20, 2017
Also this perfectly normal man from Chicago, who screamed, “Daddy’s home!”
My goodness this is terrifying pic.twitter.com/HjOHTjxSyD
— Matt Franciscovich (@MattFranchise) January 20, 2017
Meanwhile, at 30,000 feet….
Correction. 90% of flight headed to #WomensMarchOnWashington. #planefullofnastywomen pic.twitter.com/UB4Y2xQwog
— Andrea Addario (@addarioandrea) January 20, 2017
Following his speech, Donald Trump began tweeting again—first from his own account, then on the newly transitioned @potus account.
@realDonaldTrump lollllll k pic.twitter.com/DwjwUuQKmr
— Jordan Uhl (@JordanUhl) January 20, 2017
This is the picture they CHOSE for his first post. Lol pic.twitter.com/XnKxvaZvRZ
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) January 20, 2017
Our old dad checked in on us….
Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we’ll get back to work.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 20, 2017
It also became clear in the hour following Trump’s speech that he plagiarized a speech from Bane.
Donald Trump plagiarized Bane in his #inauguration speech: https://t.co/Vt3tISj9s9 pic.twitter.com/sSjkx7vcRJ
— Jezebel (@Jezebel) January 20, 2017
And still….
This dude is STILL smarter than Trump pic.twitter.com/821RPsGFYg
— Marcella Arguello (@marcellacomedy) January 20, 2017
Bikers for Trump was present, making its “wall of meat” against protesters. When interviewed….
this guy said he "didn't have time 2 protest bc he has a job" UR AT THE SAME EVENT AS THE PROTESTORS. UR ON THE SAME SCHEDULE AS THEM pic.twitter.com/fRRcVJfgnV
— BRANDON WARDELL (@BRANDONWARDELL) January 20, 2017
Reactions to Trump’s call for “America First” perked the ears of some history buffs….
Dr. Seuss 1941: pic.twitter.com/V6zD4QTIo2
— Russel Neiss (@russelneiss) January 20, 2017
Reminder that Trump's "America First" slogan was recycled from American Nazi sympathizers from WWII https://t.co/B4BMp5Nvk8
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) January 20, 2017
This protester, at the parade, FTW….
she's my new president now, i don't care what the laws say pic.twitter.com/v4C7dH6wxX
— Chai Goth (@Abid_ism) January 20, 2017