The Kamala Harris coconut tree meme, explained as best as possible

So why did the coconut palm break through?

It’s impossible to say why any given meme — political or otherwise — is as popular as another. But all of the Harris memes embrace what critics might consider a faux pas, emphasizing the vice president’s loud laughs and sometimes awkward humor.

Former President Donald Trump, for example, called Harris “the smiling Kamala” and said her laugh made her look “crazy.”

Take another example, one that grew out of one of Harris’ favorite sayings dating back to her 2020 presidential campaign: “I can imagine what could be, without being defined by what has been.”

The RNC put together a supercut of Harris being “uncharged” and shared it on social media, arguing that it showed her to be “unoriginal, obnoxious, and wildly incompetent.” But her supporters have appropriated the line.

Another explanation is that young Democrats — who have been among the most dissatisfied with President Biden as the nominee — are also among the most online. Their desire for more choice and Harris’ meme-like presence were a perfect match.

If Washington Post Internet culture reporter Taylor Lorenz wrote: “Harris’ newfound online fame could give the Democratic Party new exposure among young people — including big-name content creators — who are hesitant to vote for Biden again because of his climate policies, support for Israel’s war in Gaza, mishandling of the ongoing pandemic and signing a bill that could ban TikTok.”

And the pressure on Biden to “pass the torch” has in some cases mobilized progressives in the party behind Harris, whom they criticized in 2020 over her criminal record.