Bad omens and deep-state lunacy: solar eclipse brings wave of memes

TikTokers and brands are getting in on the rare phenomenon, as astrological warnings and conspiracy theories abound

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From eclipse donuts to deep-state lunacy, the weeks-long social media buildup to a solar eclipse is birthing memes, marketing gimmicks, and more than a few conspiracy theories. As many prepare for the celestial event in person, content creators have also scrambled to commemorate the big day.

Most of the memes are jokes about people staring at the sun and going blind from not using proper protection, as well as jokes about places like Canada being almost entirely exempt from the path of the event," said Zach Sweat, managing editor of the internet social history website Know Your Meme.