If you’ve been anywhere near social media, the news, or even your local gas station, you’ve probably seen them—the I Did That stickers. You know the ones. Bright, bold, and almost cartoonishly placed on gas pumps all across the country, usually with a photo of President Joe Biden’s face smugly looking back at you, as if to say, “Yep, that’s right, I did that.” It’s almost as if these stickers are here to remind us of something—whether we want to remember it or not. But what exactly do they mean? And more importantly, why have they caused such a stir?
Let’s take a step back and peel the layers off this political, meme-infused phenomenon, because it’s more than just a sticker. It’s a symbol. A flashpoint. A snapshot of the current state of American politics. And whether you love it or hate it, you’ve probably encountered the I Did That sticker more than once.
The Birth of the Sticker: The Gas Prices That Stuck
It all started with gas prices. With the prices at the pump rising steadily over the last few years, people started looking for someone—or something—to blame. Now, in a world where everyone is searching for a scapegoat (don’t pretend you haven’t checked the weather app when your hair gets frizzy), the political landscape found its latest target. And so, in a country where politics and memes intersect with surprising regularity, along came the sticker.
The sticker made its first splash during the early days of President Biden’s tenure in office, at a time when gas prices were surging in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recovery. Some people weren’t too pleased with the rising costs at the pump, and rather than just grumbling about it, they decided to get creative. Enter the I Did That sticker—a cheap, easy, and (let’s be honest) kind of funny way to express their frustration with the president.
The premise behind the sticker is simple: It’s a playful jab at Biden, blaming him for the rising gas prices. The sticker, placed directly on a gas pump, features the image of Biden and a sarcastic caption that says, “I Did That.” It’s a classic example of humor used as political commentary—except, of course, when it’s not funny at all.
But here’s the thing: For all the memes and jokes, these stickers quickly became a flashpoint for political division. Like any good meme, the I Did That sticker was both loved and loathed, creating an online war of words. To some, it was a funny and clever way to poke fun at a president who, let’s face it, has been dealing with some pretty tough circumstances. To others, it was a distasteful attack, a way to deflect from deeper issues and just blame the guy at the top.
The Sticker as a Reflection of Political Polarization
As much as we like to think of the I Did That sticker as a harmless meme, its existence points to something much larger. It’s a reflection of the deepening political divide that has come to define American life over the past decade. On one side, you have those who use the sticker as a form of protest, a way to channel their frustration over rising prices, inflation, and economic uncertainty. On the other side, you have those who see it as a crude, misguided attack on a president who is doing his best to navigate the aftermath of a global pandemic and the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
In a way, the sticker embodies the way in which memes have replaced real, nuanced political discourse. It’s easier to slap a sticker on a gas pump than to have a conversation about why gas prices are so high in the first place. After all, gas prices are influenced by a host of factors—everything from global oil supply to geopolitical tensions to the rate of inflation. But it’s much easier to point fingers and make jokes about a man who’s already the target of so many other jokes.
It’s a classic case of the meme culture taking over. Memes are funny because they’re quick, relatable, and sometimes just on the edge of good taste. But they also reflect the attitude of a society that no longer wants to dig deep into the issues. It’s easier to laugh at a sticker than to engage with the complexities of policy and global economics. It’s simpler to slap a joke on a gas pump than to truly understand why we’re paying $4.50 for a gallon of gas.
But let’s not kid ourselves—memes are part of the cultural fabric now. Whether it’s TikTok trends or viral Instagram stories, memes are our new form of expression. And in the case of the I Did That sticker, it’s as if Biden’s face is a canvas for the frustrations of a nation, projected onto a cheap adhesive that can be slapped on at any time. Whether you find it funny or offensive, the sticker has somehow become a part of the political discourse, a kind of protest art for the masses.
The Role of Humor in Politics: Is This the New Protest?
Which brings us to a deeper question: Can humor still be a meaningful form of protest in the 21st century? We’re no strangers to the idea of political humor. From Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show to Stephen Colbert’s late-night antics, comedy has long been a vehicle for political criticism. But the rise of memes has taken political humor to new, less sophisticated levels. Humor is still a tool for protest, but the medium has shifted. Instead of sitting through a carefully crafted political monologue, we get I Did That stickers on gas pumps and viral tweets.
And there’s something undeniably American about this. The country was built on the idea of rebellion, of challenging authority and questioning those in power. Whether you’re protesting war, economic inequality, or gas prices, the message remains the same: challenge the status quo. But the way we protest has changed. We’ve gone from marching in the streets to posting a picture of a sticker on social media. The medium may have changed, but the spirit of resistance remains the same.
The question, however, is whether this kind of humor is productive protest. Does slapping a sticker on a gas pump really move the conversation forward? Does it bring us closer to a solution, or does it just serve to amplify divisions? The answer, I think, is somewhere in between. Memes like the I Did That sticker are a reflection of how the public feels, a snapshot of frustration and a desire to do something, anything, to express that frustration. But at the same time, they often lack the substance needed to spark real change.
Conclusion: Laughing Through the Frustration
So, where do we go from here? What’s the real takeaway from the I Did That sticker phenomenon? It’s hard to say. On one hand, it’s a reminder of how humor and satire can be powerful tools for political expression. On the other hand, it’s a reflection of how we’ve become numb to real political discussion, opting instead for quick, catchy jabs at the people in power. The I Did That sticker might not solve the problems of the world, but it does tell us something important about the mood of the nation: people are frustrated, and they want to be heard.
In the end, the sticker may just be a temporary meme, a momentary laugh at the expense of a political figure. But as long as it’s there, it serves as a symbol of the deep divisions that continue to define American politics—and the strange ways we choose to cope with them. So, the next time you see one of those I Did That stickers on a gas pump, maybe take a second to think about what it’s really saying. It might not be the most highbrow form of protest, but in a world full of absurdities, it’s a pretty accurate reflection of the times we’re living in.
