About
Ken Bone is a man who asked a question during the second 2016 United States Presidential Election Debate, which had a town hall format in which selected undecided voters ask questions directly to the candidates. Bone asked a question about the candidates’ energy policies, but because of his name and appearance, he immediately became popular on social media as users joked about him and engaged in ironic fandom.
Origin
Towards the end of the second presidential debate of the 2016 United States Presidential Election, moderator Anderson Cooper called upon Bone, who asked a question regarding the energy policies of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Spread
Immediately after his question, social media users, particularly on Twitter, began sharing posts in joke-adoration of Kenneth Bone.
Within an hour of the debate’s end, New York Magazine’s internet-focused blog Select All[1] wrote a piece devoted to the popularity of Ken Bone on Twitter. Other major news sites including CNN,[2] Daily Dot,[3] and Business Insider[4] immediately covered Bone’s rise to internet stardom. CNN theorized Bone grew popular because of his red cardigan and glasses, and Daily Dot theorized it was because of his suggestive last name, mustache, and gentle aura.
Post-Debate Footage
Footage of Bone post-debate helped further his popularity, particularly videos of him interacting with former President Bill Clinton and taking photographs with a disposable camera.
Game recognize game https://t.co/Ktg824cjSP
— Phil Friend (@Phil_Friend) October 10, 2016
Ken Bone taking a picture with his disposable camera so it lasts forever. Legend https://t.co/VU3ChYEaen
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 10, 2016
Pants-Splitting Story
The following day, Bone appeared on CNN and explained that the popular red sweater he wore was his backup plan. He initially was going to wear an olive suit, but when he was getting in his car to travel to the debate, he split the seat of his pants open.
Ken Bone says he wore the red sweater as a plan B to the debate because he “split the seat of my pants wide open” https://t.co/H9eL2wi5as
— CNN (@CNN) October 10, 2016
Online Presence
Bone’s Twitter account[5] quickly gained over 1,000 followers as he responded to his surge in popularity. For example, responding to one Twitter user who theorized “Ken Bone probably has a hot wife,” Bone wrote, “Yeah he does,” in a tweet that has gained over 1,900 retweets and 2,500 favorites.
A parody Twitter account for Ken Bone, @TheKenBone,[6] launched and gained over 65,000 followers in one day. On Facebook, Ken Bone was a trending topic the following morning, and a Kenneth Bone fan page[7] gained over 4,500 followers overnight.
Various Examples
Search Interest
External References
[1]New York Magazine – Meet Kenneth Bone: the Red-Sweater-Wearing Star of the Presidential Debate
[2]CNN– And the winner of the presidential debate is… Ken Bone
[3]Daily Dot – The real winner of the 2nd presidential debate: Ken Bone and the Fly
[4]Business Insider -One of the debate questioners became an instant internet sensation
[5]Twitter – @kenbone18
[6]Twitter – @TheKenBone
[7]Facebook – @KennethBoneFanPage