Advertisement

Presidential debate questioner Kenneth Bone becomes viral sensation

Click to play video: 'Presidential debate questioner Kenneth Bone becomes viral sensation'
Presidential debate questioner Kenneth Bone becomes viral sensation
WATCH ABOVE: Audience member Kenneth Bone, who asked a question related to energy in the second presidential debate, became an Internet sensation Sunday night due to his red sweater and use of a disposable camera – Oct 10, 2016

ST. LOUIS – One clear winner from the second presidential debate is a questioner whose mild-mannered appearance has made him an unlikely online star.

READ MORE: 5 things you missed from the presidential debate

Kenneth Bone asked on Sunday night GOP nominee Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton about energy policy and became an internet sensation almost instantly.

“What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimizing job loss for fossil power plant workers?”

A Facebook fan page celebrates the mustachioed Bone’s outfit of a red sweater and khakis.

A parody Twitter account describes him as “the man of the people.”

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Trump vs Clinton: Who won the second presidential debate?

The Wikipedia page for 90’s rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony was even edited to show Kenneth Bone as a founding member.

Presidential debate questioner Kenneth Bone becomes viral sensation - image

Many have edited pictures of the man and posted them on Twitter, including one showing Bone with the other real original members of the Cleveland rap trio.

Another meme spoofed the iconic “HOPE” poster from President Barack Obama’s 2008 run.

A voter from Jersey City was so moved by Bone’s appearance during the debate, it inspired a song. According to Jonathan Mann’s Twitter bio, he creates a new song daily, and has done so for over 2,800 days running.

Story continues below advertisement

Bone seemed to relish his moment in the spotlight.

TV cameras caught him getting a handshake from former President Bill Clinton after the forum and snapping a photo as he left the stage.

Bone was one of several uncommitted voters selected to ask a question during Sunday’s heated debate.

The Commission on Presidential Debates worked with Gallup, a research and polling company, to identify registered voters in the St. Louis area who had not made up their minds, or were favouring a particular candidate, but could be swayed in favour of the other.

WATCH: The Commission on Presidential Debates explains how questions are chosen

Click to play video: 'Commission on Presidential Debates explains how questions are chosen'
Commission on Presidential Debates explains how questions are chosen

According to Janet Brown, the executive director for the Commission, the questions are vetted ahead of time, but CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC’s Martha Raddatz would be the ones to choose which participants would get to ask their questions.

Story continues below advertisement

40 undecided voters were present in the audience during Sunday’s debate, but only eight were able to pose their question to the candidates.

-With files from Global News.

Sponsored content

AdChoices