Last Saturday, he was just another undecided American voter. By Sunday night, Ken Bone was known around the country as The Guy With The Mustache And Red Sweater From The Debate. All he did was ask a question about energy policy. But his looks and his name caused him to become, for better and worse, an internet sensation.
So, Ken is making the most of it, all while still appearing humble. He’s going to auction that red sweater for charity, hoping to make some money to fight homelessness and help voter registration drives. He told the Belleville News-Democrat (that’s in Illinois, Ken’s home state) that he’s “(N)ot going to be the internet guy who overstays his welcome.”
Before the debate, Ken told a local news station, he had seven Twitter followers, “…and two were my grandmother because she forgot her password and had to do it over.” He now has more than 200,000 followers. At least one sponsor took note. Ken tweeted this out today:
Everyone wants to know if I’ve decided… and I have. uberSELECT helps you ride in style like me https://t.co/HyOS8z9SRd
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) October 13, 2016
If you had any doubt that this was more than a freebie shoutout, it links to a page on Uber’s site, where there’s even a promo code for $20 off your first ride in this service: KENBONE.
UPDATE: CNN reports Ken is being paid in free rides, not cash.
UPDATE 7:35 pm: VICE reports Ken may be in violation of FTC rules, because he did not mark his Tweet as an ad or mention he was receiving something in return from Uber.
Ken is also selling T-shirts – Limited Time Only!:
America, prepare to enter the #bonezone. My official shirt is available for 1 week. Get it at https://t.co/WKSP0H9p9i pic.twitter.com/ts7K0K5WUv
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) October 13, 2016
Why not? Some of the comments about Ken have been pretty mean, and he’s taking this all in stride and with good humor.