Mace gets in on Coldplay meme trend but leaves some confused. Here’s why

Would “Trump’s economy” and “American born workers” be embarrassed to be spotted together at a Coldplay concert?

A recent social media post from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has been interpreted by social media users to mean that.

A video capturing IT-company Astronomer’s CEO Andy Byron and human resources director Kristin Cabot cuddling during a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts went viral last week, leading to memes across social media platforms. The video shows the couple separating and ducking after they see themselves on the jumbotron. The viral video has created international media attention and countless imitators.

Mace, a GOP congresswoman, posted an still image from the viral video Friday. Byron is labeled as “Trump’s economy,” and Cabot is “American born workers.” Some social media viewers said she misinterpreted the joke.

Mace’s post flexes employment levels for “American born workers” in the caption and thanks Trump. Mace has supported Trump’s economic policies, including the recently passed budget reconciliation law, on social media and with her voting record, creating confusion over her intention with the post.

“You know that everything falls apart like 2 seconds after this frame right?” Brian Tyler Cohen, a progressive political commentator, wrote in a social media response. Other users posted memes of their own with the picture of the couple separating from one another. Eric Michael Garcia, a reporter with The Independent, posted “Uhhh, what?” in response.



But Sydney Long, Mace’s communication’s director, said the still image represented Trump’s economic agenda supporting American citizens.

“President Trump is shown holding on to the American born workers,” Long said in an email to The State. “He puts American citizens first, because he is America First.”

The relationship between Byron and Cabot has been publicly scrutinized. The two are not married to one another. Following the incident, Byron resigned from Astronomer, according to a recent social media post from the company.

“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the post said.