{"slug":"what-is-that","name":"What Is That","url":"/templates/what-is-that.jpg","w":1047,"h":1362,"top":"","bottom":"","defaultClassicLayout":"twitter","alternateFormats":[{"slug":"what-is-that-captioned","label":"Captioned Version"},{"slug":"what-is-that-video","label":"Video Version"}],"similarTemplates":[{"slug":"blinking-white-guy","label":"Blinking White Guy"},{"slug":"confused-nick-young","label":"Confused Nick Young"}],"description":"What Is That meme generator. The viral freeze frame of NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin who heard gunshots near the White House and instead of ducking like every other human being, stepped out of her reporter area and poked her head out asking \"What is that?\" Peak lack of survival instincts.","keywords":"what is that meme, julie tsirkin meme, white house reporter meme, what is that reaction, julie tsirkin what is that, white house shooting meme, reporter panic meme, what is that white house","year":2026,"origin":"On May 23, 2026, shots were fired near the White House. Secret Service and press alike hit the deck. Everyone ducked for cover. Everyone except NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin, who heard what were clearly gunshots and decided the correct response was to step out of her reporter area, poke her head out toward the lawn, and ask \"What is that?\" while everyone around her was in full self-preservation mode. The internet immediately latched onto the absurdity: the entire world knows to duck when you hear gunfire, and Tsirkin chose curiosity. The freeze frame went viral as a reaction image for anyone doing something obviously stupid or ignoring every possible warning sign.","format":"classic","howToMake":["The reporter's oblivious expression does all the work. Add your caption as top text describing what she just noticed.","This is a blank version without text baked in. Write your own setup and let her face deliver the punchline.","White text with black outline stands out against the green lawn and press area background.","Short punchy captions work best. One line of context, then the image sells the shock.","Download or copy to react to anything that makes you go \"excuse me, WHAT?\""],"exampleCaptions":["WHEN YOU CHECK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AFTER A WEEKEND IN VEGAS","","LOOKING AT MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS"],"exampleAltText":"What Is That reporter meme reacting to a bank account after a weekend in Vegas","exampleRefreshDate":"2026-05-12","seo":{"aliases":["What Is That Meme","Julie Tsirkin Meme","White House Reporter Meme","Reporter What Is That Meme","What Is That Reaction","White House What Is That","Reporter Panic Meme"],"description":"A close-up of NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin on the White House lawn with a confused, almost disgusted expression on her face. She has just heard gunshots and instead of ducking like everyone else, stepped out of her reporting position to investigate. The manicured lawn and trees are blurred behind her. Her face says \"let me go see what that noise was\" while everyone around her is in full survival mode. The expression became the definitive reaction image for anyone ignoring blatant red flags or doing the exact opposite of what any rational person would do.","definition":"Freeze frame of NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin who heard gunshots near the White House in May 2026 and instead of ducking, stepped out of her reporter area and poked her head out asking \"What is that?\" Became an instant meme for ignoring obvious warning signs, having zero survival instincts, or doing the exact opposite of what any rational person would do.","useCases":[{"category":"Financial Shock","examples":["WHEN YOU CHECK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AFTER A WEEKEND IN VEGAS","LOOKING AT THE TOTAL AFTER ADDING GUAC TO EVERYTHING AT CHIPOTLE","CHECKING YOUR STUDENT LOAN BALANCE AFTER MAKING MINIMUM PAYMENTS FOR 5 YEARS","SEEING THE SERVICE FEE ON YOUR CONCERT TICKETS","WHEN UBER SURGE PRICING KICKS IN AT 2 AM"]},{"category":"Unexpected Discoveries","examples":["OPENING YOUR FRONT CAMERA ON ACCIDENT","WHEN YOU SEE YOURSELF ON THE SECURITY CAMERA AT THE STORE","FINDING A HAIR IN YOUR FOOD AT A RESTAURANT YOU RECOMMENDED","WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON AT THE CLUB","LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AFTER A NAP YOU DIDN'T PLAN TO TAKE"]},{"category":"Workplace Horrors","examples":["WHEN YOUR BOSS SAYS \"WE NEED TO TALK\" WITH NO CONTEXT","SEEING YOUR NAME MISSPELLED IN THE COMPANY-WIDE EMAIL","WHEN SOMEONE REPLIES ALL TO A THREAD THAT SHOULD HAVE DIED","CHECKING SLACK AFTER A 3-DAY WEEKEND","WHEN THE INTERN PUSHES TO PRODUCTION"]},{"category":"Social Media Chaos","examples":["WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW GOES VIRAL FOR THE WRONG REASONS","CHECKING YOUR MENTIONS AFTER A TWEET YOU THOUGHT WAS HARMLESS","WHEN YOUR PARENTS FIND YOUR FINSTA","SEEING AN EX IN YOUR SUGGESTED FRIENDS LIST","WHEN YOUR PRIVATE STORY GETS SCREENSHOT NOTIFICATIONS"]}]}}