Ken Bone continues to charm America after debate
Kenneth Bone, the mustached man whose red sweater, earnest demeanor and funny name turned him into an instant Internet sensation during Sunday night’s presidential debate, says it’s been a surreal 12 hours since his star turn in St. Louis.
“I went last night from having seven Twitter followers — two of which were my grandmother because she had to remake her account when she forgot her password — to now having several hundred,” Bone said in an interview with CNN on Monday. “I don’t know why they care what I have to say, but I’m glad they’re engaged in the political process.”
"I'm Kenneth Bone and you've just entered the bone zone! #Debate pic.twitter.com/2knB0gIcK3
— Michael Jones (@AH_Michael) October 10, 2016
CBS NEWS POST-DEBATE FLASH POLL
Clinton – 26%
Trump – 19%
Kenneth Bone – 53%— Nick Wiger (@nickwiger) October 10, 2016
"And that is why I, Kenneth Bone, have decided to run for president." #debate pic.twitter.com/mNKJdBaOFz
— Diane N. Sevenay (@Diane_7A) October 10, 2016
*Siren noise*
Cooper: "Mr. Trump, Secretary Clinton, you know what that siren means, it's time for the Bone Zone."
Kenneth Bone – "Hello."— Adam Christie (@TheAdamChristie) October 10, 2016
#timingtiming #Davechoate @sportspainter who did the artwork for our record did this very recently https://t.co/onuZKFuuRi #kenbone #debates
— The Zambonis (@TheZambonis) October 10, 2016
100% going as Kenneth Bone for Halloween
— Mike Mutnansky (@MutWEEI) October 10, 2016
Ken Bone Halloween costume kit pic.twitter.com/Ew1KffDgcl
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) October 10, 2016
Bone was one of several uncommitted voters selected to pose a question to both candidates during the town hall.
“What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimizing job layoffs?” he asked.
Related: The Internet fell in love with his red sweater: Here’s where to buy it
On Monday, Bone — who was still wearing the eye-catching sweater — said his sartorial choice was kind of an accident.
“I had a really nice olive suit that I love a great deal and my mother would’ve been very proud to see me wearing on television,” Bone explained, “but apparently I’ve gained about 30 pounds and when I went to get in my car the morning of the debate, I split the seat of my pants all the way open. So the red sweater was plan B.”
Ken Bone is the ray of sunshine America needed https://t.co/Zh5cBI7LrU #debate pic.twitter.com/F1UY3V0WZQ
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) October 10, 2016
Like many viewers, the former Domino’s Pizza manager and classic car enthusiast said he was turned off by the tone exhibited by both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
“At points during the debate, it almost felt like watching mom and dad fight,” Bone said. “It got very uncomfortable from up close, but if you can dig through some of the rhetoric and some of the name-calling going on, I think there were some substantive answers. It’s just unfortunate that we have to wade through so much to get to them.”
Bone did, however, take issue with one viewer who broke down why she felt he was “the real MVP” of the debate.
“If I’m being honest, I feel like the mustache deserves more than 1 percent,” Bone said. “But I’m glad it got on the list.”
