Social Media Buzz Surrounds “Peak Awakening” Moments
A surge of social media posts promoting a “peak awakening” trend caught fire over the weekend. The posts included various clips, notably one featuring Senator Bernie Sanders at a 2015 Black Lives Matter rally, a transgender swimmer winning the women’s NCAA championship, and a “Choose a Fighter” video featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez participated in the “Choose your fighter” video trend on TikTok last year, alongside other Democrats like Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Lauren Underwood, Katherine Clark, Judy Chu, and Susie Lee. This video gained traction and became a target of mockery from both political sides in March 2025.
Clay Travis from Outkick highlighted Leah Thomas, the 2022 NCAA swimming title winner, mentioning that two ESPN announcers observed a moment of silence in opposition to a Florida bill criticized as the “Don’t Say It’s Gay” bill.
Various users also shared nostalgic videos from the pandemic, including one where former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot donned a costume dubbed the Rona Destroyer in 2020.
Another clip showcased former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio during a May 2021 press conference, offering free Shake Shack fries to anyone vaccinated. He advised people to consider the appeal of the offer, noting, “Some people like burgers, some people don’t.” In a light-hearted moment, de Blasio expressed satisfaction after taking a bite of his hamburger.
In a reflection on the time, Town Hall’s Siraj Hashmi remarked on Billy Porter performing “For What It’s Worth” at the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention while the nation was grappling with the aftermath of the George Floyd protests.
Hashmi also recalled a video from March 2020 featuring celebrities singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” as a message of hope. The post drew attention to the celebrities, including Gal Gadot and Kristen Wiig, who shared their interpretations of the iconic song.
Another clip that surfaced featured Sanders being interrupted during a 2016 rally by Black Lives Matter activists. As the crowd booed, one activist passionately declared, “We’re angry,” reflecting the underlying tensions of the time.
The “End of Awakening” account initially brought up the “Peak of Awakening” discussion, showcasing images of white individuals kneeling and seeking forgiveness from the black community, a moment that gained widespread attention in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020.
