The US midterm elections have delivered a decisive rebuke to the Trump-aligned wing of the Republican Party, and the internet is reacting with a mix of relief, glee, and a heavy dose of pop culture satire. From the blue-tinged Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development to Parker Posey's drawling, Lorazepam-popping character in The White Lotus, the memes are flowing as fast as the vote counts.
For Europeans watching across the Atlantic, the outcome carries significance beyond America's shores. A Democratic-controlled Congress is likely to shift the tone on trade, climate, and tech regulation, issues that directly affect the EU and its member states. As our analysis of the potential easing of energy bills and climate worries notes, the change in Washington could bring a more predictable partner on key global files.
From blue waves to red riptides
The phrase "blue wave" has been used so often that it risks becoming a cliché, but the meme-makers have embraced it with characteristic irreverence. One viral image shows Tobias Fünke, the hapless character from Arrested Development, covered in blue paint, with the caption: "There's got to be a better way to say that." The tweet has racked up nearly two million views and 128,000 likes, with one commenter suggesting it should be "put in the Louvre."
Another popular meme features Brendan Fraser's Oscar-winning performance in The Whale, with the actor's tearful expression repurposed to represent the mood of Republican leaders as the results came in. The image, shared widely on Instagram, captures the sense of shock and disbelief that seemed to grip the party's old guard.
Parker Posey's character in the third season of The White Lotus—a Southern belle self-medicating with benzodiazepines—has also become a symbol of the moment. As one meme put it, "Republican Party leaders might be reaching for the Lorazepam right about now, too."
Tech backlash and Texas taunts
The midterms also provided a canvas for broader frustrations, particularly around the tech industry. In a striking sign of public sentiment, Waymo self-driving taxis have been summoned en masse to dead-end streets, topped with traffic cones, and even set ablaze. The internet has seized on this as a metaphor for the unpopularity of Silicon Valley's ambitions, with one meme imagining what people would do if they could "tie its shoelaces together and shove it in the back."
The backlash against tech is not just a US phenomenon. As our report on the midterm backlash against AI data centres shows, the issue has reshaped state politics in ways that could have ripple effects for European tech companies and regulators.
Meanwhile, the former governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has become the butt of jokes after his name trended on social media. The memes, which need little explanation, reflect the general mood of dismissal toward the old guard of the Republican Party.
What it means for Europe
For European policymakers, the Democratic gains offer a window of opportunity. The relief in European capitals may be short-lived, however, as the new Congress will still face gridlock on many fronts. But the shift could ease tensions on issues like the digital services tax and data privacy, where the previous administration had been openly hostile to European positions.
The midterms also carry a warning for Europe's own populist movements. The rejection of election-denying candidates in key swing states echoes the challenges faced by democratic institutions in Poland and Hungary, where judicial reforms and media crackdowns have tested EU values. As our coverage of the Senate race and Poland's judicial crisis noted, the transatlantic democratic health check is closely watched on both sides of the ocean.
For now, the internet is enjoying the moment. The memes are a release valve for the anxiety that has built up over years of political turmoil. Whether they will translate into lasting change remains to be seen, but for a few days at least, the blue wave is washing over social media feeds from Berlin to Brussels, and the mood is celebratory.
