The Brief: Images of a St. Louis couple now known as "Ken and Karen" pointing guns at protestors have been circulating online as they're being widely criticized and memed.
DEEP DIVE
Karen and Ken memes started spreading after pictures of a white St. Louis couple pointing guns at protestors outside of their home were posted to social media. The couple has since been identified as lawyers Mark and Patricia McCloskey who were photographed standing barefoot outside of their home pointing an AR-15 and a pistol at protestors who were on their way to St. Louis mayor’s home to demand her resignation.
A St. Louis couple in front of their home tonight as protesters marched past in the city’s Central West End. (photos courtesy @ksdknews partner @BILLGREENBLATT / UPI) #StLouisprotest #STL pic.twitter.com/I7VlUBUhZ2
— Casey Nolen (@CaseyNolen) June 29, 2020
Meme-makers have given several nicknames to this couple including “Ken and Karen,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “Karen and Clyde.” Comparisons have been drawn between this scene and The Purge, Scarface, and other violent films. Many people have noted how the McCloskey’s appear to be committing a crime by pointing their guns at people.
— Rayan_ahlawi11 (@Rayan_Bamas) June 29, 2020
In addition to criticizing them for their violence and hostility towards Black Lives Matter protestors, social media users have been dunking on Ken and Karen for their fashion choices, appearance, and gaudy home. Memes include fake movie posters and jokes about how the couple is asking to “see the manager.”
When Ken and Karen don't see the manager immediately pic.twitter.com/iHcdzixI9w
— 💀🦉🍂Wicked Neffie of the East 🌒🌕🌘 (@pocahontasphnx) June 29, 2020
President Donald Trump retweeted a video of the couple without comment, before later undoing the retweet. On Twitter, some gun rights proponents and white supremacists have shared their support for the McCloskeys, creating memes to celebrate them.
Karen & Ken Memes
Looks like MAGA Bonnie and Clyde robbed a Talbots. pic.twitter.com/W1skRh0S2S
— Marie Connor (@thistallawkgirl) June 29, 2020
Big 4th of July Sale pic.twitter.com/s0aWLX2SDe
— Ahri Findling (@THEYCALLMEAHRI) June 29, 2020
Ken and Karen have had enough pic.twitter.com/QtogVCFbEJ
— Insónias em Carvão (@insoniascarvao) June 29, 2020
Pointing my gun at my wife to own the libs pic.twitter.com/YrvuHWDvTc
— hbomberguy (@Hbomberguy) June 29, 2020
Whoever is responsible for adding this to Google Maps is my new hero.
This is the house of that gun waiving couple and someone marked it as a "Ken and Karen's Public Bathroom".#KenAndKaren #StLouisprotest pic.twitter.com/7aJYOCcNqk
— enlightenm3nt #MaskUp (@enlightenm3nt) June 29, 2020
This was the PERFECT opportunity to finally use their homme-debout and they missed it smh https://t.co/nKOGhpKEWt pic.twitter.com/34nm4XNQfv
— Mark Byrne (@markwby) June 29, 2020
When ur wife doesn’t get shredded cheese on her fajitas pic.twitter.com/zQVEJXVw1j
— Sonny Side Up (@Sonny5ideUp) June 29, 2020
The Purge: Suburban Scarface pic.twitter.com/LianYbhhuG
— Brent Terhune (@BrentTerhune) June 29, 2020
Why is the lady in The Purge photos dressed like she’s about to rob a McDonalds? pic.twitter.com/SwvsuySARR
— Rush Inbot (@TeamStradley) June 29, 2020
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) June 29, 2020
the NIMBYonese Liberation Army pic.twitter.com/0k4XnehSJ0
— biz malarkey🌹 (@uhshanti) June 29, 2020
hey if you lived in the lobby of the parking structure at the Americana you’d wanna protect your stuff too. pic.twitter.com/C8BsIWczJY
— Morgan Murphy (@morgan_murphy) June 29, 2020