The 5 Shocking Truths About The 'Who Would Do This Meme' And Its Enduring Viral Power

The "Who Would Do This Meme" is one of the most enduring and psychologically fascinating pieces of internet culture, and as of December 16, 2025, its usage remains a potent tool for social commentary. This simple phrase, often paired with an image of a person looking bewildered at an obvious mess, is not just a joke; it’s a shorthand for a universal human behavior: feigning ignorance or shifting blame for a self-inflicted disaster.

Its surprising and chaotic origin story, rooted in a surrealist comedy show, is what gives the meme its lasting power. It perfectly captures the absurdity of modern media outrage and corporate non-apologies. Understanding the source is key to appreciating why this meme continues to trend every time a public figure or company makes an obvious blunder.

The Surreal Origin: Eric Andre, Hannibal Buress, and the 2013 Skit

The core of the "Who Would Do This Meme" is the infamous "Who Killed Hannibal?" skit from the surrealist late-night parody, The Eric Andre Show.

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The Anatomy of the Viral Moment

The skit, which aired in a 2013 episode on Adult Swim, features host Eric Andre and his co-host, comedian Hannibal Buress.

• The Setup: Andre is conducting a typical, chaotic interview in his public-access television parody set.
• The Event: Without warning, Andre pulls out a gun and repeatedly shoots Buress, who collapses, ostensibly dead.
• The Punchline: As the crowd cheers in the background, Andre turns to the camera, his face a mask of false innocence, and asks the rhetorical question, "Who killed Hannibal?"

This bizarre, jarring sequence is a perfect example of the show's signature style of boundary-pushing, anti-comedy. The meme's popularity exploded precisely because of the sheer, unadulterated absurdity of Andre's feigned ignorance immediately following his own violent act.

The True Meaning: Why the Meme Resonates So Deeply

The meme’s longevity is a testament to its flexibility and its ability to act as a piece of powerful social commentary. It has evolved far beyond its original context of a surreal prank, becoming a universal symbol for a specific type of public hypocrisy.

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1. The Psychology of Blame Shifting

The primary use of the "Who Would Do This Meme" is to satirize the act of blame shifting. It's deployed whenever an individual, a corporation, or a political body causes a massive, undeniable problem and then attempts to distance themselves from the consequences.

The comedic value comes from the blatant contrast between the obviousness of the culprit (Eric Andre, in the original context) and the attempt to deflect responsibility. It’s an instant tool for calling out hypocrisy and gaslighting in the digital age.

2. The Meta-Meme Evolution

Over time, the meme has morphed into a "meta-meme," often used to comment on the nature of memes and internet culture itself. The text variation "Why Would They Do That?" or "Who Would Do That?" is frequently used in image macros to caption a situation where the outcome was completely predictable, yet the person involved acts shocked.

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This has made it a staple across platforms like Reddit, Twitter (now X), and TikTok, where it’s used to mock everything from disastrous product launches to embarrassing social media posts.

Modern Applications: How the Meme Stays Fresh in 2025

Despite being over a decade old, the meme remains a relevant fixture because the behavior it satirizes—corporate and political feigned ignorance—is constantly in the news. The meme is a cultural weapon against the lack of accountability.

Corporate Blunders and the 'Who Would Do This?' Response

In the world of business and technology, the meme sees frequent use. For example:

• Data Breaches: A major tech company suffers a massive, preventable data leak, then issues a press release stating they are "shocked and dismayed" by the "unforeseen" incident. The internet responds with the meme.
• Layoffs After Record Profits: A corporation announces mass layoffs immediately following a quarter of record-breaking profits, then expresses sadness about the "difficult economic climate." The meme perfectly encapsulates the hypocrisy.
• Social Media Policy Changes: When a platform introduces a widely unpopular change that clearly benefits its bottom line, but then blames users for "misunderstanding" the new feature.

The meme acts as a collective eye-roll, a digital way to say, "We know exactly who did this, and it was you."

Political and Social Commentary

The "Who Would Do This" format is a favorite for political commentary. A politician or public official makes a controversial statement or passes a deeply unpopular policy, and then acts baffled when there is public backlash. The image of Eric Andre, gun in hand, looking confusedly at the 'dead' Hannibal Buress, is the perfect visual metaphor for the situation.

The meme’s topical authority is enhanced by its association with entities like surrealist comedy, Adult Swim, and the careers of Eric Andre and Hannibal Buress, all of which are significant touchstones in modern internet and television history. Its continued relevance highlights the timeless nature of satire in the face of public dishonesty.

The Lasting Legacy of Feigned Ignorance

The "Who Would Do This Meme" has secured its place in the pantheon of great internet jokes because it is simple, instantly recognizable, and deeply applicable to modern life. It is more than just a funny clip from a 2013 skit; it is a cultural shorthand for accountability.

Every time you see a public figure act bewildered by the consequences of their own actions, remember the chaotic brilliance of The Eric Andre Show. The meme will continue to evolve, but its core message—calling out the perpetrators of obvious messes—will ensure its viral power for years to come. Its longevity proves that sometimes, the most effective social commentary is the most absurd.