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  3. The Most Talked About Moments You Can't Miss from Joe Biden's Inauguration

The Most Talked About Moments You Can't Miss from Joe Biden's Inauguration

Every viral, eyebrow-raising moment from the 46th president's inauguration ceremony

By Diane J. Cho January 20, 2021 02:57 PM
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A Day Filled with Fist Bumps and Elbow Taps

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama greet Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty

In an effort to maintain safe social distance practices throughout the historic day, politicians were seen bumping fists and tapping elbows to greet each other.

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The Color Purple as a Trending Topic

U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty

Vice President Harris chose purple to unify her look for a meaningful reason. CNN's Abby Phillip pointed out during Inauguration Day coverage that Harris used purple and yellow as colors to launch her presidential campaign — a nod to Shirley Chisholm, who became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. Chisholm would later run for president in 1972. Phillip noted that Chisholm's boundary-breaking trajectory in politics in part inspired Harris' career.

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Jennifer Lopez Performs a Powerful Medley

Jennifer Lopez sings 'This Land is Your Land' during the inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Credit: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Wearing a suffragette white Chanel ensemble and symbolic pearl earrings, Lopez dazzled on stage with renditions of "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful" during the inauguration festivities.

"Una nación, bajo dios, indivisible, con libertad y justicia para todos," the Puerto Rican singer said in Spanish, before referring to her track, "Let's Get Loud." ("One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all," in Spanish.)

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'Let's Get Loud' Trends on Twitter

Jennifer Lopez sing during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty

As Jennifer Lopez belted out the lyrics to her 1999 hit "Let's Get Loud" as part of her rendition, Twitter chimed in with takes on her medley.

"Was that a This Land is Your Land, Lets Get Loud mashup?!?!" a user tweeted.

"I hope when all our future children sing "This Land is Your Land" that a dramatic "LETS GET LOUD!!!" will forever be part of it," another added.

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Twitter Thinks Lady Gaga's Ensemble Channeled the Hunger Games

Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty

There to perform the national anthem, Lady Gaga was beaming as she arrived at the Capitol. The singer sang beautifully while Twitter began to light up with comments about her Hunger Games-esque look. Her large accessory was a peace dove carrying an olive branch, her nod to a hopeful future under the Biden administration.Ā 

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The Dove Pin Is the New Mockingjay

Lady Gaga Mockingjay
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty; Lionsgate

The singer's symbolic golden pin of a dove carrying an olive branch was another piece that made Twitter's Hunger Games comparison seemingly more valid.

"who else tossed up three fingers when lady gaga walked out in hunger games cosplay," a social media user quipped.

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Bernie Sanders Becomes a Meme

Bernie Sanders
Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty

Twitter also had some fun with this photo of Sen. Bernie Sanders waiting for the ceremony to begin. Hilarious tweets poured in, describing Sanders as a hashtag mood, including the following:

"This could've been an email," one social media user tweeted.

"Bernie is me at all family events," another wrote.

Sanders later clarified his choice in warm winter gear, telling CBS, "In Vermont ... we're not so concerned about good fashion. We want to keep warm."

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Mitten Mania

bernie sanders
Credit: Getty

Sanders' mittens also caused conversation, as New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman noted in a tweet, "In all the inauguration fashion news, let us not overlook Senator Bernie Sanders' mittens."

Turns out, Sanders' mittens hold special meaning. Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vermont, made them for him a few years ago and even makes similar styles for those interested in a pair.

"I made Bernie's mittens as a gift a couple years ago. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece (made from recycled plastic bottles). #BerniesMittens," Ellis wrote onĀ Twitter.

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    1 of 8 A Day Filled with Fist Bumps and Elbow Taps
    2 of 8 The Color Purple as a Trending Topic
    3 of 8 Jennifer Lopez Performs a Powerful Medley
    4 of 8 'Let's Get Loud' Trends on Twitter
    5 of 8 Twitter Thinks Lady Gaga's Ensemble Channeled the Hunger Games
    6 of 8 The Dove Pin Is the New Mockingjay
    7 of 8 Bernie Sanders Becomes a Meme
    8 of 8 Mitten Mania

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    The Most Talked About Moments You Can't Miss from Joe Biden's Inauguration
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