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The events of the last 24 hours has the world thinking existential thoughts. 

For those of you who have been paying attention, Donald Trump sent his stealth bombers into Iran with an array of bunker-busting ordnance to eliminate the nuclear weapons that the pariah state may or may not have.

Internet meme wizards have taken it upon themselves to illuminate the ether in their own special way.

#1

Trying not to think about WWIII

This Dallas blogger is just trying to live, OK?

But the looming threat of global war makes combing hair feel like a side quest in a survival game. 

Still, as one commenter put it: “I’m so tired of going through unprecedented times”—a sentiment practically tattooed on Gen Y’s soul at this point.

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    #2

    Some ‘war disqualifiers’ make ideal recruits

    @adhdaroaceactor See y’all in jail #genz #genzhumor #generationz #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #funny #funnyvideos #unserious #unhinged #darkhumor #darkhumorjoked #foryoupageofficial #draft #draftevasion #ww3 #worldwarthree #worldwar3 ♬ original sound - adhdaroaceactor

    We get you girl. You don’t want to go to war. But all those things you are naming as if they were disabilities are valued for certain military postings.

    As one person in the comments said: “All I hear is put me on nightguard duty.”

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    #3

    Perhaps enlisters buying their own bottled water will be a good idea?

    @bjcalvillo

    Influencers getting drafted for WW3

    ♬ original sound - bjcalvillo

    “Cute” military outfits, vegan detergent to clean rifles under fire in a way that leaves a smaller carbon foot print and glass bottled water because the canteen is “gross,” and let's not forget the sea moss for energy.

    This is how BjCalvillo is preparing for enlistment. And some feel he has a point, like the commenter who wrote: “I don't think I could drink from a canteen either.”

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    #4

    Gen Z wants to livestream WWIII—the ratings will be crazy

    @byteline.news Are you ready? #WW3Simulator #GenZInWar #AIShorts #CringeSoldier #DarkHumor #Veo3 ♬ Military - Florews

    According to this video, Gen Z isn’t just ready for war—they’re ready to stream it.

    The creator imagines a future where influencers broadcast live from the trenches, while their followers (likely draft-dodgers or the medically unfit) tune in like it’s the next big reality show.

    Forget Love Island—the battlefield is the new main stage, and yes, there will be merch, maybe.

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    #5

    Trench chic

    @apsonarmy First World war for many of us here are some outift tips #ww3 ♬ origineel geluid - Apson

    To be fair, Milan Fashion Week really missed the mark by not showcasing a WWIII line.

    Luckily, TikTok’s got it covered. Apson Army steps in with battlefield-ready ensembles. Think glossy camo fatigues and outfits that say I-just-lost-a-fight-with-a-paper-shredder.

    One commenter, stunned by the style-over-survival vibe, summed it up best: “Historians will skip our generation.”

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    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, Milan, you missed a trick in not glorifying war and horror and trying to cash in on it in fashion....

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    #6

    Crocs, hoodies, and airPods for the front lines

    @alfonsopesce #ww3 #ww3draft #genzww3 #genz #notalie ♬ doubtfvlly on ig - Allison

    If Gen Z gets deployed, we know by now that traditional fatigues are out of the question. 

    But according to TikTok, sagging pants, camo Crocs, and puffed-up hair will be found on the battlefield. 

    “Don’t forget the AirPods and black hoodie,” one commenter chimed in—priorities intact.

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    #7

    WWIII memes hit different when the Sun comes out at 3 A.M.

    A person reacting to WW3 memes at 3am with exaggerated bright light, reflecting Gen Z humor in online meme culture.

    Just when you thought you were through the woods, someone drops: “When you're laughing at WWIII memes and suddenly the sun comes out at 3 a.m.” 

    The meme first surfaced in 2020, proving that for Gen Y, the threat of world war is nothing new—just another day in the apocalypse playlist.

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    Data1001
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As someone who thought we were all gonna get nuked circa 1980, I lol'd at this one.

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    #8

    Lattes, hoodies, and a fear of phone calls

    @tryseedling Gen Z 🤝 Millennials. “GRWM for WW3” is just chefs kiss 🌱 Seedling is the spending game that uses neuroscience to pay off your credit cards faster, follow @tryseedling for more #ww3 #genz #millennial #money #personalfinance ♬ Starships - Nicki Minaj

    Gen Z is fearless. Another Tiktokker rubs it in with the stereotypical latte’s, shades indoors, and hoodies.

    And in the comments?

    “The only things I’m scared of are calls from unknown numbers and knocks at my door.” 

    Honestly, that takes more guts than facing a draft, it appears.

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    #9

    Is Gen Z even afraid? Apparently not

    @darynaarnold_ We’re so cooked😜 #war #ww3 #genz #unserious #werecooked #starshipsweremeanttofly #capcut ♬ Starships - Nicki Minaj

    If this video is anything to go by, Gen Z isn’t scared in the slightest. The documented antics say it all: memes, vibes and mayhem.

    “WW3 might happen” just doesn’t register when it’s competing with viral dances and anime edits. Maybe it’s because world wars only happen in movies—in the minds of Gen Z.

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    Doofnuts
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reality is really going to smack the c**p out of these idiots.

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    #10

    Kung Fu Panda explains WWIII—and it kinda works

    @kingtz33z LMAOOOO I HAD TO MAKE IT #FYP#ww3 #ww3memes ♬ original sound - charyzard

    There is nothing like a scene from Kung Fu Panda to break the allegedly complex geopolitical situation leading to the viral speculations of WWIII.

    “The way I giggled because of how accurate this is,” wrote one user, appreciatively.  

     Aside from this comment, this video parted with the satire for serious discourse.

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    #11

    Millennials are just tired

    @mossymatriarch_alt Always something else… #millennial #ww3 #breakingnews #fyp #politicalcomedy ♬ оригинальный звук - 🍒Cherry Keem🍒

    TikTok user MossyMatriarch_alt suggests Gen Z’s detachment from WWIII fears might stem from a generational contrast. 

    As her caption notes, Millennials have been “in a constant state of crisis since childhood.” 

    One commenter put it plainly: “We’ve been there for every year of my life. I’m 32. I’m so sick of this.”

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    Renay T
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, yes we have. I'm an elder Millennial (1985) and we have seen some caca. We really never left the Middle East, jobs don't exist anymore, my mom had more rights in the 60s than I do now, people hate people like me, racism and Nazis are back, a fcking plague, and worst of all, TRUMP IS PRESIDENT! 🤮

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    #12

    It’s not funny

    @monstercuisine NO I AM NOT A PARTY POOPER JUST REMEMBERING WHAT IMANI SAID ABOUT MEMEIFYING POLITICS 🧍🏾‍♀️ #ww3 ♬ original sound - Hero Mode | Max

    According to MonsterCuisine, we’re so good at making light of dark times, they might just be desensitizing us.
     
    And as a commenter observed: “Yes, it’s good to joke to lighten dark moments… but it gets to a point.” 

    Guess even humor has its limits.

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    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's gallows humor. When you feel like everything is going to shi t there's nothing left to do but laugh. Don't blame the young'uns for feeling this way.

    #13

    The Simpsons said what?

    @funnyanimatedclip This is scary it could be the end of our world 😰 #simpsons #simpsonsprediction #war #worldwar3 #america #scary #simpsons2025 #predictions #predict #fyp #viral #donaldtrump ♬ original sound - Funny animated clips

    For Gen Z, Nostradamus wears yellow and lives in Springfield. 

    According to this TikTok, The Simpsons predicted WWIII—down to the exact date. 

    Spooky? Maybe. Real? Not even close. 

    The episode doesn’t exist. Turns out, it’s just AI doing its thing again: faking screenshots, fueling chaos, and confusing the chronically online.

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    #14

    Slay ‘til the end

    @chicaffair8 #ww3 #girls #funny ♬ God Of War - Ralpi Composer

    Slay at all costs. That’s the only reasonable takeaway from Chicaffair8’s take on surviving WWIII. 

    Forget gas masks and rations—this is full glam, lashes loaded, hair curled like freedom depends on it.

    Because no true debutante will forgive herself for not dressing for the apocalypse. Nuclear winter? More like nuclear winter collection.

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    #15

    A good time to reunite with an ex?

    That's what a picture of Bob the blob in context of a looming Armageddon means for X.

    Yes, “we should all get back with our ex,” along with “perfect time to find a loyal man!” are the key takeaways here.

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    #16

    What did I miss? Apparently, nothing. And everything

    Two men shaking hands in an office setting with text overlay referencing WW3 memes and waking up.

    WWIII memes really know how to sneak up on you. To the classic “what did I miss?” the internet casually replies: “Actually… nothing.”

    The web’s mood swings are legendary—it erupts at the tiniest spark. But never without some reason, right?

    Then again, as one user pointed out, WWIII’s been “threatened every month since 2020,” so maybe the real answer is best summed up by another: “idk. maybe don't ask me buh.”

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US just bombed 3 areas of Iran in defense of Israel, a country that supports the genocide of Palestinians. Many countries are sick of Israel's war on Gaza, as well as Trump and the US right now. IDK how this is going to play out.

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    #17

    WWIII memes are funny—until they remind you of your old manager

    This meme takes a jab at the no-days-off, shift-covering tyrants of the hospitality world. 

    For some, it hits a little too close to home. 

    As one user put it: "I don't think we need THOSE memes right now."

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    #18

    This place about to blow

    @shazuanshaifful Great strike Iran #ww3 #sgtiktok #fyp #viral ♬ Blow - Ke$ha

    Topping our list is a perfectly timed TikTok from shazuanshaifful featuring a military helicopter flyover to Kesha’s Blow.

    In this context, her line “No one's getting out” hits a little differently, and “This place about to blow” doesn’t need an explanation.

    Let’s just say the vibe is less club anthem, more impending doom with bass.

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    Renay T
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yeah, I watched our boys take off from our air base. Those jets are gorgeous and impressive.

    #19

    WWIII? Sure—but not a delayed Shein order

    Almost as if in retaliation to the gravity, some users suggest WWIII won’t be half as catastrophic as, say, a delayed Shein order.

    Priorities.

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    Renay T
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am a millennial but I'm worried if California gets bombed, can I still buy the new Sims Expansion?

    #20

    Gen Z wants the house clean before WWIII hits

    @araceliveee #ww3 #war #iran #us #usa #satire #darkhumorjokes #trump ♬ Rushing Sound - Dèja Parker

    Not everyone is concerned about Shein orders and Trench Chic.

    Get your house in order. 

    TikTok user @araceliveee has other concerns—like making sure there are no crumbs on the floor when the bombs drop.

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    #21

    The screaming general look

    @ethan_hillis just a coping mechanism #wwiii #ww3 ♬ Blow - Ke$ha

    If you're heading to the trenches, you might as well serve looks. 

    TikTok creator Ethan Hillis has a few in rotation: Combat Chic, Spycore, the Screaming General, and—for reasons only he understands—the Politician’s Ex-Wife. 

    Who knew war could be this fashionable?

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    #22

    Gen Z reaction to WWIII is being themed with Kesha and Chaos

    @madilynwikemazur We are the most unserious people I have ever met. #ww3 #ww3memes #fyp #fypシ #trending #fypシ #fypage #unserious #millennial #millennialsoftiktok #genz ♬ Blow - Ke$ha

    Gen Z being the most unserious people has become a theme and Madlynwikemazur rubs it in, supposedly imitating this generation's reaction to the prospect of WWIII.

    Another prevailing theme is Keisha’s Blow, also the soundtrack to this Tiktokker's point of view.

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    #23

    Frontline diaries: French tips and firefights

    @mathew.matosg gen z during ww3 #ww3 #genz #war #worldwar3 #conscription #conscriptionuk ♬ original sound - mathew matos gillingwater

    “Luckily the French are on our side, so I got some of the girlies to do my French tips. They look amazing.”

    If this TikTok is anything to go by, battlefield updates might include manicure reviews, paired with “free” cargo pants and playing “bogies” under heavy fire.

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    #24

    Debt relief?

    There is nothing like the feeling of being weighed under by heavy bills. To some, anything is better. Including the bright hot light of atomic fusions.

    Is the economy that bad?

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    #25

    When surf and turf means you are shipping out or going boots on the ground

    @dashpass1708 #WW3 #trump2024🇺🇸 #marines #2025 #onthisday #army ♬ original sound - dashpass1708

    And here we have Dashpass1708’s insights into military clairvoyance.

    Steak and lobster according to the experts is nothing more than a morale booster—not a deployment trigger— but if this video is anything to go by, the writing's on the mess hall’s wall. 

    As he put it: “We are going to war.”

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