LORI Lightfoot has been the subject of online scrutiny via social media.
Chicago's 56th major has inspired a host of viral internet memes.
What is the origin of the Lori Lightfoot meme?
While the Lori Lightfoot memes have gained traction following her 2023 election defeat, memes directed at the Democratic politician have been circling online for years.
As The New York Times noted, the memes began in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
As the publication described, the once-friendly meme included "an image of her stern, unsmiling face Photoshopped around Chicago."
On March 29, 2020, one social media user tweeted the meme, along with the words: "Because she’s not a hero. She’s a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Lightfoot."
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Back then, the Lightfoot meme was meant lightheartedly. However, the tone has shifted following complaints about the major's time in office, with many being unhappy about how she handled serious issues, such as crime.
What is the Lori Lightfoot meme in 2023?
After her February 2023 election loss, the Lightfoot memes picked up on social media once again, with many of them comparing the Ohio-born politician to Beetlejuice.
The Beetlejuice memes, however, started before Lightfoot's defeat.
On July 11, 2022, a user tweeted a side-by-side photo of Lightfoot and the famous 1988 film character in which Lightfoot's appearance has been altered.
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He wrote: "Who wore it better?
"Lori Lightfoot or Beetlejuice?"
Following Lightfoot's loss, many Twitter users started referring to her as "Beetlejuice."
On March 1, 2023, former UFC and MMA fighter Jake Shields tweeted: "Beetlejuice also known as Lori Lightfoot has been voted out of mayor of Chicago.
"Hopefully, they elect someone better but it's Chicago so I'm skeptical."
On the same day, in response to a February 28 tweet from Lightfoot, one user wrote: "Goodbye Beetlejuice."
Another user tweeted: "Beetlejuice is Trending because of Lori Lightfoot" followed by a laughing emoji.
The memes do not solely involve Tim Burton's character, played by Michael Keaton.
Also on March 1, political columnist Benny Johnson tweeted out a YouTube video he made, titled The Best Lori Lightfoot Memes On The Internet | R.I.P. Compilation, which includes a number of memes aimed at the Windy City major.
The video has gained nearly 60K views and over 7.5K likes.
When did Lori Lightfoot lose her re-election bid?
Lightfoot was defeated in her run for re-election on February 28, 2023.
On that same day, she tweeted: "Serving as your mayor has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am so grateful to all of you who have stood beside me these last four years.
"We’ve made significant progress building a safer, more equitable city. I thank each and every one of you for believing in me."
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As NBC News reported, Lightfoot is the first Chicago major to lose re-election in 40 years.
The outlet stated that Lightfoot "failed to get enough votes in the nine-person race to move on to an April 4 runoff election, according to projections by The Associated Press."
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