The landscape of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election was defined by an unprecedented collision between traditional political discourse and the chaotic, irreverent world of internet meme culture. Among the most bizarre artifacts of this era was the "Here Come Dat Gary" meme. While it was intended to humanize a third-party candidate and capture the fleeting attention of millennial and Gen Z voters, it instead became a textbook example of "corporate cringe"—a term used to describe forced, out-of-touch attempts by organizations to mimic organic internet trends.

To understand why "Here Come Dat Gary" failed so spectacularly, one must look at the memetic ecosystem of 2016 and the specific dynamics of the "Dat Boi" phenomenon it attempted to hijack.

The Ancestry of the Unicycle: Understanding Dat Boi

Before there was Gary, there was "Dat Boi." In early 2016, the internet was captivated by a low-fidelity, 3D-rendered green frog riding a unicycle. Unlike many memes that rely on a specific joke or cultural reference, Dat Boi was built on pure absurdity. The formula was simple: a post would feature the frog with the caption "here come dat boi," followed by the mandatory response, "o shit waddup!"

The origins of the image were traced back to a generic clip art collection from Animation Factory, but its cultural power came from its sheer randomness. It was a "forced meme" that actually worked because it emerged from the bottom-up, starting on platforms like Tumblr and migrating to Reddit and Twitter. It represented a specific type of surrealist humor that defined digital natives—a rejection of traditional punchlines in favor of rhythmic, nonsensical repetition.

By mid-2016, Dat Boi was one of the most recognizable icons on the web. Its simplicity made it ripe for parody, but it also made it a dangerous tool for anyone outside the "in-group" of internet culture to wield.

The Transformation: Here Come Dat Gary

As the 2016 election heated up, the Libertarian Party candidate, Gary Johnson, found himself in a unique position. While the two major-party candidates faced high disapproval ratings, Johnson was polling significantly higher than typical third-party contenders. Seeing an opportunity to bridge the gap with younger voters, supporters and a Super PAC known as AlternativePAC decided to lean heavily into memetic warfare.

The result was "Here Come Dat Gary." The execution was literal: digital artists photoshopped Gary Johnson’s head onto the body of the Dat Boi frog or depicted him juggling while riding a unicycle. The captions were updated to reflect his name, while the "o shit waddup!" response remained a staple of the social media strategy.

The campaign’s logic seemed sound on paper. If young people liked the frog, they would like the candidate associated with the frog. However, this logic ignored the fundamental law of the internet: the moment a corporation or political campaign adopts a meme, that meme is effectively dead.

The Mechanics of Cringe and the Forced Meme

In our analysis of digital trends, we often identify a phenomenon known as "The Kiss of Death." This occurs when a top-down entity (a brand, a government agency, or a political campaign) attempts to utilize a grassroots meme for profit or votes. The "Here Come Dat Gary" campaign fell directly into this trap.

The Authenticity Gap

Internet memes thrive on perceived authenticity and subversion. When a Super PAC spends money to promote a meme, the authenticity evaporates. The audience no longer sees a funny image; they see a calculated attempt at manipulation. In the case of Gary Johnson, the "Here Come Dat Gary" posts were often shared by official campaign-adjacent accounts, making the effort feel like a parent trying to use slang to sound "cool" to their teenage children.

Visual Dissonance

The aesthetic of Dat Boi was rooted in its "deep-fried" or low-quality appearance. When the Gary Johnson version was produced, it often looked too polished or, conversely, so poorly photoshopped that it lacked the ironic charm of the original. The sight of a suit-wearing politician superimposed over a surrealist animation created a visual dissonance that many users found uncomfortable rather than humorous.

The r/FellowKids Effect

The subreddit r/FellowKids is dedicated to documenting these exact types of failures. "Here Come Dat Gary" became a recurring star on the platform. The community’s reaction highlighted a crucial distinction: the internet wasn't laughing with the campaign; they were laughing at the transparency of the marketing ploy.

The Cultural Backlash and Political Fallout

The reception of "Here Come Dat Gary" was overwhelmingly negative among the very demographic it sought to woo. Online forums were flooded with comments calling the meme "painful" and "cringe-worthy." It became a symbol of a candidate who, despite having some policies that appealed to young people, was fundamentally disconnected from the nuances of their digital culture.

This memetic failure coincided with several high-profile gaffes by the candidate, most notably the "What is Aleppo?" moment during a television interview. The combination of serious policy ignorance and perceived silliness in marketing created a narrative of a campaign that wasn't ready for the prime time. The meme, intended to be a lighthearted bridge, instead became a weight that anchored the campaign to a reputation of unprofessionalism.

Lessons from the 2016 Meme Wars

The story of "Here Come Dat Gary" provides several vital lessons for modern digital communication and political branding.

  1. Memes Cannot Be Owned: A meme is a living organism belonging to the collective internet. Any attempt to "own" or direct it for a specific institutional purpose usually results in its destruction.
  2. Context is King: The "Dat Boi" meme was successful because it was meaningless. By attaching a political agenda to it, the campaign stripped away the very thing that made the meme popular.
  3. Respect the Medium: Political campaigns often treat social media as a one-way broadcasting tool. Successful digital engagement requires an understanding of the specific language and etiquette of each platform.

In the years following 2016, we have seen campaigns become more sophisticated. Instead of photoshopping heads onto frogs, they now hire dedicated "meme managers" who operate in the shadows, creating content that appears organic even when it is strategically placed. "Here Come Dat Gary" remains a relic of an era of transition—a clumsy first step into a world where the line between a joke and a vote is increasingly thin.

Conclusion

"Here Come Dat Gary" was more than just a failed joke; it was a cultural milestone that marked the end of innocence for internet memes. It proved that the digital space is highly resistant to forced virality and that authenticity is the only currency that truly matters in the attention economy. While the meme has long since faded from the front pages of the internet, its legacy as the ultimate example of political cringe continues to serve as a warning to any organization that thinks they can buy their way into the "o shit waddup" hall of fame.

FAQ

What does "Here Come Dat Gary" mean?

It is a political parody of the "Dat Boi" meme, featuring 2016 Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson. It was used by his supporters to try and gain viral traction among younger voters.

Who created the "Here Come Dat Gary" meme?

While many versions were created by anonymous internet users, the meme was heavily promoted and popularized by AlternativePAC, a Super PAC supporting Gary Johnson’s 2016 campaign.

Why is it considered "cringe"?

It is considered cringe because it was a "forced meme"—an attempt by a political entity to capitalize on a grassroots trend. The lack of authenticity and the awkwardness of a politician being inserted into a surrealist meme made it appear out of touch.

Is Dat Boi still a popular meme?

By the standards of internet culture, Dat Boi is considered a "dead meme." While it is still remembered fondly as a classic of the mid-2010s, it is no longer a part of active, daily memetic discourse.

Did the meme help Gary Johnson’s campaign?

Most political analysts and cultural observers agree that the meme did not significantly help the campaign. If anything, it contributed to a perception that the campaign was not serious, potentially alienating voters who were looking for a professional alternative to the major parties.

Summary of Key Facts

  • Origin: A 2016 parody of the "Dat Boi" frog meme.
  • Subject: Gary Johnson, the 2016 Libertarian presidential candidate.
  • Promoter: Principally AlternativePAC.
  • Outcome: Widely ridiculed as "corporate cringe" and a failed attempt at youth outreach.
  • Legacy: Serves as a primary case study in how not to use memes in political marketing.