Nike Tech searches skyrocket following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest

The internet has once again made a historic moment go viral through aesthetics.

It’s only been five days into 2026, and the Swoosh giant has already become the most viral brand of the moment, following the circulation of several images showing the President of Venezuela, under custody, wearing what appears to be one of Nike‘s iconic sports sets.

It all started with an image shared by Donald Trump on Truth Social, showing Maduro being escorted on what is described as the USS Iwo Jima, bound for New York. Beyond the political context – as dense as it is controversial – the focus of the internet quickly shifted to a seemingly minor but culturally significant detail: the detainee’s appearance.

For more than a decade, Nike Tech Fleece has been a cross-cultural symbol connecting streetwear, urban music, football and the working class. From London to Paris, from stadiums to streets, Tech has become the (unofficial) uniform of contemporary culture. And now, unexpectedly, it has also become part of viral political discourse.

According to data extracted from Google trends, searches related to “Nike Tech” and “Nike Tech jacket” experienced an immediate spike after the image was released, and it is already listed under the “Best Sellers” category on the official website.