Ron DeSantis's Painfully Awkward Smile Is Going Viral, And It Really Does Gets Funnier Every Time

    "Ron DeSantis’s debate smile looks like he’s taking his 8th grade yearbook photo and he’s a little nervous about his new braces."

    Matt Stopera
    by Matt Stopera

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Last night, the GOP held a Trump-less debate with eight Republican nominee hopefuls.

    Screenshot from the Republican debate
    The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

    One moment is the standout moment in terms of "that's definitely going to become a meme."

    Closeup of Ron DeSantis speaking during the debate
    Win Mcnamee / Getty Images

    That moment is Ron DeSantis trying to smile:

    "Be sure to smile Ron at the end of the debate to try and dispel the notion you're cold and robotic."

    Ron Desantis: pic.twitter.com/QF0ACegzqM

    — ☢️Nuka🫥 (@CoolNuka) August 24, 2023
    Fox/ Twitter: @CoolNuka

    As this person said, "He's malfunctioning already."

    He’s malfunctioning already. pic.twitter.com/s0dhbJ6y1v

    — Nagatha Christie (@WOlookingitup) August 24, 2023
    Fox/Twitter: @WOlookingitup

    Another person compared it to taking a dump.

    Ron Desantis tries to smile and looks
    Like hes taking a dump. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/ADzc8LXUJb

    — lbream (@lbream) August 24, 2023
    Fox/Twitter: @lbream

    And this person described it as simply "hideous."

    That smile by Ron DeSantis at the end was so hideous. My God. #GOPDebate

    — SUJ 🦬 (@SujOfficial) August 24, 2023
    Twitter: @SujOfficial

    My timeline is filled with the moment.

    The delay of him trying to smile is insane???

    pic.twitter.com/FLscPB9msI

    — Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) August 24, 2023
    Fox/Twitter: @keithedwards

    I'm seeing comparisons to Wednesday Addams.

    Ron DeSantis trying to smile pic.twitter.com/7A69JjXYT1

    — Rebecca (rebeccafachner.bsky.social) Fachner (@rebecca_fachner) August 24, 2023
    Warner Bros/ Twitter: @rebecca_fachner

    They're calling him Chandler Bing.

    He’s weird. He’s a robot. I’d never want to have a beer with him. He smiles like Chandler Bing did when you take his picture…

    And I’d want him as my president in a heartbeat. Let’s go, @RonDeSantis ! pic.twitter.com/15MwAojpRd

    — Tball_15 (@tball_15) August 24, 2023
    NBC/ Twitter: @tball_15

    And this person's comparison to an 8th grader's yearbook pic with braces is pretty spot on:

    Ron DeSantis’ debate smile looks like he’s taking his 8th grade yearbook photo and he’s a little nervous about his new braces

    — Mackenzie Moore (@_Mack_Moore) August 24, 2023
    Twitter: @_Mack_Moore

    Anyway, this is destined to become a meme.

    WHAT IS THAT ATTEMPT AT A SMILE 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/padZcp3J2R

    — Brodes (@_Brodes) August 24, 2023
    Fox/Twitter: @_Brodes

    It's already beginning...

    yeah Pepsi is fine pic.twitter.com/Yrh8oiCxGT

    — Adam Smith (@asmith83) August 24, 2023
    Fox/ Twitter: @asmith83