US election: social media users lighten the mood with jokes

Tension is mounting as the results hang in the balance, prompting speculation that's both sensible and silly on social media

US President Donald Trump pumps his fist after speaking during election night in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, early on November 4, 2020. AFP

As the world anxiously awaits the results of the US presidential race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, social media users are lightening the mood with sarcastic tweets and tongue-in-cheek comments.

The race remains tight, and, with mail-in ballots not due to be counted until later this week in several states, the anxiety could persist for several days.

One widely shared tweet prompted sniggers on social media after a US citizen, who is reportedly from the state of Michigan, wrote the name of Lebanese star Haifa Wehbe on the official ballot paper instead of choosing the Democratic or Republican candidate.

“Between Trump and Biden, we choose Haifa for the American presidency,” one user said in a tweet.

Ms Wehbe responded on her social media page with a laughing emoji.

Arab social media was also abuzz with a digitally altered video of Mr Trump dancing to Arabic music during a campaign rally that went viral on Twitter.

Another tweet showed a graph of the results so far with Mr Trump securing 51.3 per cent and Mr Biden at 47.8 per cent.

But the bar next to Mr Biden’s name was bigger than Mr Trump’s although he had less votes, triggering widespread speculations among users, with one commenting, “When you’re the graphic designer, and you didn’t really support Trump.”

“Trump will win, mark my words,” wrote another user.

A hashtag advertising “emotional support Canadians” was trending early on Wednesday with users reaching out to help people stressed by the elections.

The Twitter account of two dogs named Sadie and Sophie said they were offering

“nothing but love” as Canadians providing emotional support.

Stressed-out Americans seemed to welcome the suggestion, as several said they needed support and asked where to find it.

One user wrote, "Anyone need an emotional support Canadian? Standing by."

"Emotional support Canadian, reporting for duty," wrote another user.

Several American said they would move to Canada if the elections don't go their way.

Users worldwide took their frustrations over the slow pace of election results to Twitter, asking for support during these trying times.

“We, non Americans, checking the results on google every 30 seconds,” one user wrote under the picture of an angry man.

Another user said it “feels like a personal attack but it’s so true that I can’t even be mad about it.”