The Brief: TikTokers are creating memes about a fly that landed on Vice President Mike Pence's head during the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate on Oct. 7.
DEEP DIVE
During the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate on Oct. 7, a fly landed on Vice President Mike Pence’s head. The internet immediately began buzzing with talk of the insect taking center stage and outshining Pence and Senator Kamala Harris. The fly may have only made a 2-minute appearance in the hour-and-a-half-long debate, but it’s a legend now.
TikTokers have created numerous memes about “The Fly” and its newfound fame.
This video gave viewers a close-up view of exactly what the fly was up to while perched on Pence’s head.
https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathanbynoe/video/6881284353654082822?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjxZ%2FwFD6fWS49vOH6rFkvaALPFTJgfz9aX%2BzS9ZfVSUcA6AtUNkY03IME1BFLCBubWfVK5bv%2BXPrDDSKYYaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAADct_ib0QHkDWnpIK7jUNX_6nQECQMKbrJaCI4UfEsZoahcaLmJByTUpFXY5rahx3&share_item_id=6881284353654082822&share_link_id=44051021-F17B-4BF7-8C46-98F3FB0A2CF4×tamp=1602197994&tt_from=copy&u_code=d49h00i6359ab3&user_id=6649410803609911302&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6790176033137542661&is_from_webapp=1
It appears that fly performed the “Sheluvadae” TikTok dance, too.
@crayzrah Pt.9 ….Lmao! This wasn’t even gonna be the next vid but I had to. DC: @sheluvdae #debate2020 #vpdebate #greenscreen #fyp
There’s also this video in which the fly’s closest friends cheered them on.
@dertytoothbrush @tiktokforbiden
“Girl, don’t do it…”
@steve_furb
The fly’s publicist was a little less enthusiastic, seeing as he didn’t have prior notice about the stunt beforehand…
@jtfirstman
To some, the fly is a symbol of the losing party. In 2016, a fly landed on Hillary Clinton during the second presidential debate.
@eggroll89 #greenscreen I love fly #vpdebate
Others thought the fly was Pence’s way of trying to relate to Gen-Z voters. Umm…he missed the butterfly clips memo.
@curlgurl21 sorry i just think this is the funniest thing ever. #fyp #vpdebate
Other fly TikToks:
@isabelolive the way i didn’t even hesistate to buy this- #biden2020 #biden #vpdebate #mikepence #kamalaharris #debate #electionyear #voteblue
@nicole.gose There’s more to that fly than meets the eye. #vpdebate #pence #pencefly #cartoon #funny #conspiracy #animation #trump #kamalaharris #fyp #foryoupage