Honestly, I feel bad for everybody who participated in politics before 2008. They were still subjected to the same hyperbole, fear-mongering, and over-the-top rhetoric that we have to deal with in elections today, but they never got to experience the post-election humor and satire we get to enjoy on social media. And as I expected, this year didn't let me down. Everybody is a target, specifically Donald Trump and his supporters, as well as the Clinton supporters who are taking this loss to the extreme. On the milder side, third parties, abstainers, and unsuccessful major party candidates are likewise the victim of memes, satire, and internet humor as well, and it never disappoints.
If your candidate won, congrats, but you don't need to fight anymore. If your candidate lost, I understand your frustration, but emotional fear and panic will not get you anywhere either. This is the time to slow our roll, accept the cards we are dealt, and move forward. That being said, I think we should put some of our stronger feelings aside, take a deep breath, and learn to laugh a little bit. Some of these internet responses to the election might be just the way to do that.
First black-hearted president
The creative wit of The Onion never ceases to amaze me. In reference to Trump's rhetoric, and timed during the final term of the nation's first black president, this headline seems worthy of its over seventy-thousand Facebook likes
Small steps at a time
In the same model as The Onion, Above Average relates to the mature yet still disappointed American voter
Liberal tears
Famed Facebook page Being Libertarian, which actively spoke out against Donald Trump, also put forth an aggressively hilarious parody of the Clinton supporters who prefer to express their discontent irrationally and through emotion alone
Retrospect
Even the candidates we have all forgotten about since before the primaries aren't spared the sympathetic wrath of Clickhole
You almost had it
I can't say for sure whether or not this page supported Donald Trump, but it is decidedly anti-Hillary, and what better way to display that than with a reference to a well-known, funny, yet formerly apolitical meme?
Seems like a lot of work
Men's Humor is not an overtly political page in my book, but it's not afraid to chime in with something funny. It pretty much tells sad reality like it is, yet still makes me laugh at the same time.
Military humor is no exception
In the brilliant words of Duffel Blog, "The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has expressed interest in becoming the “1 Millionth Ultimate Trump Division (5 Carat Diamond Assault).'”
Better than a wall
Is this a parody of Trump's immigration policy, Canadian stereotypes, or claims by Americans to free the country? Who knows? That's the fun.
With this election now all but over, many of us are feeling all types of emotions. Nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to laugh a little bit, and humor and satire can be an amazing vehicle for spreading your message. As we move forward as a country and learn to work together, let's not forget to take the time to laugh a little bit.
