In a moment that blended awkwardness, politics, and accidental comedy, Vice President Kamala Harris found herself left hanging during a swearing-in ceremony when Bruce Fischer, husband of Republican Senator Deb Fischer, subtly refused her handshake. While some viewed the moment as a snub, others argued it was an innocent misunderstanding. But one thing is certain: TikTok has taken it to the next level.
Within hours of the footage going viral, TikTok users began posting videos mimicking the incident under the hashtag #CaneAndBibleDodge. The challenge? Use any two objects—preferably unrelated and mildly absurd—to recreate the now-infamous handshake swerve, all while maintaining an air of stoic indifference.
The Rules of the Challenge
Participants must:
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Hold an object in each hand (popular picks include bananas, books, or even cats).
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Dodge an incoming handshake while muttering a polite “thank you” or staying completely silent.
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Bonus points for dramatically raising an eyebrow, à la Kamala Harris.
Some particularly creative TikTokers have incorporated slow-motion effects, dramatic music, and captions like, “Sorry, my hands are tied literally.” Others have recreated the scene in increasingly bizarre contexts, such as using flaming torches or juggling bowling pins.
Political Commentary Meets Social Media Madness
The challenge has sparked a wave of memes, with some TikTok users declaring the #CaneAndBibleDodge the ultimate metaphor for modern politics: awkward, divisive, and endlessly entertaining. One popular video features someone dodging a handshake while holding a pizza box and a garden gnome, with the caption, “When bipartisan cooperation just isn’t on the menu.”
Critics, however, argue that the challenge trivializes an already contentious moment. “This is why aliens don’t visit us,” wrote one commenter on a particularly viral post featuring a teenager dodging a handshake while balancing a bowl of spaghetti.
The Reaction From Washington
When asked about the challenge, Vice President Harris reportedly chuckled and said, “Well, I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—though I’m not sure how I feel about the spaghetti one.”
Bruce Fischer, unwitting star of the original incident, has declined to comment but has reportedly been offered a sponsorship deal by a popular cane manufacturer. Meanwhile, MAGA supporters have embraced the challenge, with one user calling it “the best thing to happen since the Harlem Shake.”
What’s Next for #CaneAndBibleDodge?
As the challenge continues to trend, political analysts are left pondering the deeper implications. Is it a harmless bit of fun, or a reflection of the increasingly surreal state of political discourse? Either way, one thing is clear: the handshake dodge has transcended politics and entered the annals of internet absurdity.
So, grab a cane, a Bible—or literally anything else—and join in. Just don’t expect Kamala Harris to be amused if you cross her path.
