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Socially-distanced ‘action figure’ photo of G7 leaders goes viral

by Celine Castronuovo - 06/12/21 9:23 AM ET

LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
(L-R) Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the European Council Charles Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italy’s Prime minister Mario Draghi, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel pose for the family photo…

A socially-distanced photo of President Biden and other Group of Seven (G-7) leaders has become a viral meme on social media, with many joking that they look like “action figures.”

The leaders, which also include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, posed for a group photo on Friday, the first day of their summit in the United Kingdom.

Several Twitter users turned the image — in which the leaders are standing several feet apart due to the coronavirus pandemic — into a meme, with some suggesting the group looks like a collection of action figure toys, a choir or a pop music group.

CBS’s “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert tweeted the image, along with the caption, “Before I order these figures, does anyone know if you can take them out and play with them or are they glued to the display stand?”

Before I order these figures, does anyone know if you can take them out and play with them or are they glued to the display stand? pic.twitter.com/vLVS1QfjEa

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) June 12, 2021

Another user edited in other memes featuring prominent political figures, including the iconic image of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sitting with his arms and legs crossed while wear a coat and mittens at Biden’s inauguration, as well as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) relaxing in a beach chair during a 2017 outing after he had closed state beaches to the public during a government shutdown.

Photobombed figures sold separately. pic.twitter.com/rkm03x3wb2

— Dennis Syrja (@FinnDen) June 12, 2021

New set of action figures, just released. Kinda unrealistic. Also some serious problems with representation. Basically I’m taking these back to Toys R Us immediately. #G7 pic.twitter.com/8prgZ8pCkc

— David Gauntlett (@davidgauntlett) June 11, 2021

My favorite part of the G7 summit is the big musical number at the end pic.twitter.com/xqCTir9oxE

— Washington Post TikTok Book Guy (@davejorgenson) June 11, 2021

Had to be done pic.twitter.com/YyhL7CS6Fc

— Washington Post TikTok Book Guy (@davejorgenson) June 11, 2021

The social media commentary comes as Biden and other world leaders are participating in their three-day summit, with events mostly happening behind closed doors.

Biden has already met one-on-one with Johnson, and is expected to have a formal bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.

Following the summit’s first session Friday afternoon, the G-7 leaders attended a reception and dinner with Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family.

The White House on Friday said discussions during the first day of the summit were ““positive and productive” as the world leaders seek to come together on a range of issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and economic cooperation.

Following the G-7 summit, Biden is expected to travel to Brussels to attend a NATO summit and a U.S.-European Union summit. He is then scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva for the two leaders’ first summit since Biden took office.