One Reporter’s Response to Gunshots at The White House Is Meme Worthy

News reporters are often placed in difficult and, oftentimes, dangerous environments. Despite The White House’s reputation for safety and security, gunfire erupted on Saturday. Reporters from several outlets ducked and hid—except for one from NBC, who merely turned around to figure out what was going on.

Not long ago, many members of the press became part of a supposed assassination attempt against President Donald Trump and his cabinet during The White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Most press members ducked under tables. Some recorded the incident as it happened. After the incident, many reporters noted the lax security during the event.

Perhaps there truly is an issue with Trump’s secret service, because yet another shooting happened—this time, on White House premises. Reporters from ABC and CBS were seen ducking and hiding for cover. That would be the standard reaction, especially after having witnessed a similar event not long ago.

But Julie Tsirkin from NBC unironically turned around to locate where the sound was coming from. She nonchalantly asked, “What is that?” After a few more seconds of looking, she ducked—but only slightly, as she was still trying to follow the source of the sound.

What is that? A new meme unlocked!

Some social media users were so flabbergasted they initially thought Julie was in an SNL sketch. But Julie became an instant meme for her uncanny reaction. One social media post memed her, captioning the clip as “Showing your gf The Last of Us.”

That wasn’t the last of the memes. Another edited Julie was in front of a launching rocket ship, with her asking her iconic “What is that?” Because of the meme’s reach, someone even made a meme of Trump putting Julie’s face up as one of The White House portraits.

Despite some of the harsh comments left for Julie, criticizing her supposed lack of survival instincts, she’s been a good sport about the situation.

She wrote on X, “I’m glad I could take one for the team with @nbcsnl on summer break. Thanks for the memes, internet! Hope you’ll stick around for the reporting.” It seems that Julie even had the heart to tag the official Saturday Night Live account, notorious for creating comedy sets about politics in general. Julie even attached a photo of herself, and her monitor even showed one of the memes with her dressed as a Roman soldier.

Is this another promo for The White House Ballroom?

There’s never been a better time to make fun of a situation. Besides, with all of the assassination attempts happening recently, perhaps Trump should busy himself with revamping his cabinet.

Social media users are speculating that perhaps the shooting has been staged to promote Trump’s White House Ballroom and revive his flailing popularity. Many online have resorted to memeing the shootings, deeming it all a publicity stunt.

The project itself is already unpopular, as $1 billion in taxpayer money will be used for its construction. However, the shooter was killed in action. The man, Nasire Best, shot at a White House security checkpoint before being subdued. It’s not exactly the staged event people on social media have concocted it to be.

But thankfully, he was unable to get in The White House and harm Secret Service officers. Given that current security measures are effective, it’s getting even more convincing that a ballroom isn’t needed.

(featured images: NBC News)

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