Biden’s non-Bitcoin laser-eye meme ignites crypto speculation

United States President Joe Biden has stirred conversation on social media platforms with a recent post featuring laser-eye effects, following the conclusion of the 2024 Super Bowl. However, contrary to expectations within certain online circles, this meme wasn’t related to Bitcoin.

Biden’s post-super bowl social media move

In the aftermath of the 2024 Super Bowl, President Biden took to his X and Instagram profiles, sharing an image of himself adorned with laser-eye effects. The caption accompanying the post read, “just like we drew it up,” referencing the victory of the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers in the highly anticipated sports event.

While the laser-eye meme has become synonymous with references to Bitcoin within cryptocurrency circles, Biden’s utilization of it seems to have had a different intent. While many in the crypto community initially interpreted the post as a nod to Bitcoin, it’s been suggested that 

Biden’s use of the meme might stem from the “Dark Brandon” meme, an online persona associated with the President’s supporters, highlighting his policy successes.

Misinterpretation within cryptocurrency communities

The post prompted varied reactions within online communities. Some crypto enthusiasts viewed it as a direct reference to Bitcoin, while others recognized it as potentially unrelated. Notably, the contentious nature of cultural appropriation was raised, with certain commentators hinting at this accusation in response to Biden’s use of the meme.

The ‘laser eyes’ trend emerged as part of a broader social media movement aimed at boosting Bitcoin’s price to $100,000 by the conclusion of 2021. While this target wasn’t met, numerous notable personalities, including NFL star Tom Brady, socialite Paris Hilton, and tech mogul Elon Musk, had previously sported laser-eye effects in their online profiles as a symbol of support for the cryptocurrency.