The Brief: Internet users are poking fun at CNN's constant use of the "Key Race Alert" graphic during the 2020 Presidential Election.
DEEP DIVE
The 2020 Presidential Election is a tight race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. CNN’s coverage has consisted of around-the-clock coverage. Throughout their run, they’ve used a “Key Race Alert” graphic with music to capture viewers’ attention and draw them back in to hear even the smallest of developments.
I think CNN’s election coverage has been quite good but they have a VERY overly broad definition of the term “Key Race Alert”
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) November 5, 2020
Audiences began mocking the use of the graphic online by creating memes.
“key race alert” with absolutely no changes or new information pic.twitter.com/TqDg1BjcWG
— Sasha Gilthorpe (@sgilthorpe) November 4, 2020
[wolf blitzer trying to get a bartender’s attention]
BLITZER: Excuse me, can I get a –
BARTENDER ….
BLITZER: Hi there, I’ll take a –
BARTENDER ….
BLITZER: KEY RACE ALERT
BARTENDER: Hi there, what are you drinking tonight
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 6, 2020
Some internet users shared their reaction to the constant barrage of the graphic.
me everytime a key race alert comes through on cnn pic.twitter.com/OdM7Of1nGk
— lauren (@missystardis) November 6, 2020
*Biden is 6 votes away*
CNN every 2 minutes with a Key Race Alert that Nevada and Arizona are still too close to call: pic.twitter.com/XrYDQ4zGCD
— Tashdeed Faruk (@__TKF__) November 5, 2020
wolf blitzer: KEY RACE ALERT
wolf 5 seconds later: TOO EARLY TO CALL pic.twitter.com/Vex2qCiZuX— victoria (@villainora) November 4, 2020
Wolf Blitzer: KEY RACE ALERT
My anxiety: pic.twitter.com/PHGRqgigJO— jer (@jxysag94) November 4, 2020
“let’s go to a key race alert” pic.twitter.com/WiVgzNyduS
— stephen ossola (@stephenossola) November 4, 2020
Wolf Blitzer: “We’ve got a Key Race Alert, let’s go to John King at the magic wall”
Me: John King: pic.twitter.com/DCpB3qnUm3
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) November 6, 2020
CNN: “We have a key race alert”
Me: pic.twitter.com/wTDPJYC3Tb— Natalie (@NAHtitude) November 6, 2020
Others used the meme to make their own election-based PSAs:
KEY RACE ALERT pic.twitter.com/kQLtByW4vv
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) November 6, 2020
KEY RACE ALERT: The Vice President is a Black Woman!!! 🔥💅🏾 pic.twitter.com/pSGKHjD2KX
— Nicole Bad & Blerdy (@alamanecer) November 6, 2020
*in an extremely news anchor voice*
we’re back from commercial break and we have a KEY RACE ALERT update for all the trump supporters upset in my mentions pic.twitter.com/XvsUyXBX61
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) November 6, 2020
Some are seizing the opportunity to share their own life updates, no matter how big or small.
Everyone🛑 Key race alert‼️My anniversary with @dallasnews is tomorrow and I’m excited to announce that my fellowship has evolved into a full time position!
Excited to continue documenting a community that’s shown me so much love with my incredible newsroom💕 pic.twitter.com/OZnlvnu16Z— Juan de Dios Figueroa (@littlelatinboy) November 6, 2020
Key Race Alert: My Nordic Socks order has arrived! 🧦 pic.twitter.com/wbT0Y4aIeh
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) November 6, 2020
This musician is considering incorporating the graphic into her next project.
I’ve watched nothing but @CNN for 4 days now. I’m thinking of calling Album 6 ‘Key Race Alert’
— 𝗔𝗠𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗 (@Amy__Macdonald) November 6, 2020
If it doesn’t make the album, there’s always a future as a child’s name.
“Daddy, why’s my sister’s name Rose?”
“Because your mother loves Roses”
“Thanks, Daddy!”
“No problem, Key Race Alert ☺️”— Josh Dixon (@JoshDixonTweets) November 6, 2020