Memes are no longer just internet jokes—they’re mirrors reflecting the world’s most intense moments, from global politics to cryptocurrency hype. In June 2025, meme culture has exploded across every digital platform, driven by geopolitical tension, celebrity antics, and financial speculation.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s trending in the meme world right now and why it matters more than ever.
1. Trump–Munir Lunch Ignites Meme Firestorm
Donald Trump’s recent lunch meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, turned into a meme goldmine. The internet was quick to react to this highly unusual and diplomatically loaded event, creating parodies of the two leaders sharing “biryani diplomacy” or acting out Bollywood buddy-comedy roles. One viral tweet joked: “When your foreign policy advisor is ChatGPT and your chef is Pakistani Twitter.”
The meeting, rare in both timing and optics, fueled speculation about Trump’s foreign policy ambitions during his campaign run. For meme-makers, the contrast of political gravity with cultural references made it ripe for remixing. Pakistani users leaned into satire and wordplay, while American users treated it like a cross between The Office and Wag the Dog.
2. “WWIII” Memes Become Gen Z’s Coping Mechanism
As tension between Israel and Iran intensifies, Gen Z has responded with the only weapon it knows how to wield best: dark humor. The phrase “World War III” has trended multiple times on X (formerly Twitter), not as a serious debate, but as a trigger for absurd memes featuring SpongeBob, Sims death screens, and mock military draft letters.
For digital natives, memes serve as both cultural shorthand and stress relief. Mental health professionals have noted that humor in the face of crisis is a psychological defense. Memes don’t trivialize conflict—they process it in a way that gives young people agency, especially in situations where they feel powerless.
3. Meme Coins Surge: $APORK and the Dogecoin Revival
The meme-to-money pipeline is booming again. A new meme coin called Angry Pepe Fork ($APORK) launched its presale on June 9 and has already drawn heavy attention from meme traders and crypto influencers. Like its cousin Dogecoin, $APORK combines virality, community-driven marketing, and speculative investing.
Meanwhile, Dogecoin itself has surged past $0.50 amid renewed interest driven by meme campaigns on TikTok and Reddit. Some analysts say meme coins now act as “sentiment indicators” for online culture, where a coin’s value is linked more to meme momentum than fundamentals. In short, the sillier the name, the more viral the coin.
4. Pop Culture & Meme Stardom
Squid Game Star Can’t Stop Laughing at Himself
Lee Jung‑jae, the lead from Squid Game, confessed in a recent interview that he’s “addicted” to memes about his character. As Season 3 builds anticipation, fans are circulating everything from red-light-green-light parodies to mashups of Lee’s serious lines paired with goofy captions. The actor’s playful attitude has only intensified the meme flood.
Bieber’s “Standing on Business” Moment
Justin Bieber went viral after a paparazzi confrontation led him to utter, deadpan, “I’m standing on business”—a phrase that instantly became meme fodder. The clip was remixed into scenarios ranging from toddlers defending toy turf to dogs blocking doorways. Bieber’s stoic delivery and the absurdity of the phrase turned it into one of the week’s top reaction memes.
Meme Culture: More Than Just Jokes
What we’re seeing is the evolution of memes from fleeting entertainment to a dominant form of digital commentary. They function as:
- Emotional venting tools during global crises
- Political satire that spreads faster than editorials
- Cultural currency shaping how we perceive celebrities
- Financial marketing engines behind multi-million dollar meme coins
In 2025, memes are shaping political discourse, swaying financial markets, and even informing how younger generations relate to global events.
Best We Can Do Meme
The “Best I Can Do” meme has become a staple in internet culture, originating from the popular TV show Pawn Stars. This versatile meme format typically features Rick Harrison or another cast member offering a comically low price for an item, perfectly capturing moments of negotiation, disappointment, or compromise in everyday life. People frequently use this template on platforms like Imgflip and Reddit to express situations where expectations don’t match reality.
Over time, this meme has evolved beyond its original context, becoming a humorous way to comment on everything from workplace negotiations to personal relationships. With several variations available on meme generator websites, users can easily customize their own versions to share relatable experiences of lowball offers or underwhelming compromises that resonate with wide audiences.
1. “Best I can do is $50” – Rick Harrison
The “Best I can do is $50” meme originated from the popular History Channel reality show Pawn Stars. Rick Harrison, the owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, frequently uses this phrase when negotiating with customers.
When someone brings in a valuable item to the pawn shop, Rick often responds with his famous line: “Best I can do is $50”. This phrase has become his trademark negotiation tactic and has turned into a widely recognized catchphrase.
The humor of the meme comes from the stark contrast between an item’s perceived value and Rick’s lowball offer. For example, one popular version jokes about someone offering the infinity stones from Marvel’s Avengers, only to have Rick respond with “Best I can do is $50 for all those infinity Stones!”
The meme format typically shows Rick’s face with his signature phrase captioned below. It has spread across social media platforms like Reddit, where users create variations for different scenarios.
The catchphrase has become so associated with Rick Harrison that it appears on his website as a humorous poll option asking visitors how much of their yearly income they spend at his pawn shop.
On TikTok, clips from Pawn Stars often go viral when they feature Rick’s negotiations, especially when he delivers his famous line. One such video about Superman collectibles includes comments referencing the catchphrase.
The meme has expanded beyond just the $50 amount. Fans create variations with different dollar amounts while maintaining the core joke about Rick’s tendency to make offers well below an item’s actual value.
2. “This is the best we can offer” – Anonymous
The phrase “This is the best we can offer” has become a recognizable meme in workplace and consumer contexts. It often represents the frustration of negotiation limits, whether in salary discussions or customer service interactions.
In corporate settings, this statement frequently appears during salary negotiations. Employees might hear this phrase during discussions about raises, signaling that management has reached their maximum offer.
The meme gained traction through social media when people began sharing their experiences with this dismissive response. Its popularity stems from how well it captures the disappointment of hitting an arbitrary ceiling in negotiations.
A recent incident involving a Delhi CA demonstrated the phrase’s relevance. The professional faced criticism after sharing corporate lessons derived from a maid’s resignation when she was told something similar regarding her requested raise.
The meme also appears in public policy discussions. For example, in debates about school lunch nutrition standards, critics have suggested that classifying pizza as a vegetable represents “the best we can offer” to vulnerable children.
What makes this phrase particularly effective as a meme is its versatility. It can represent genuine limitations or serve as an excuse for unwillingness to make additional effort.
People typically respond to this statement with resignation or frustration. The phrase carries finality—a conversation ender that leaves little room for continued negotiation.
In internet culture, users often share the phrase alongside images of disappointing offerings or subpar solutions, highlighting the gap between expectations and reality.
3. The enduring popularity of negotiation memes
Negotiation memes have secured a lasting place in internet culture, with their relevance showing no signs of fading. The most iconic example, the “Best I Can Do” meme from Pawn Stars, continues to resonate with audiences years after its origin.
These memes connect with people because they reflect real-life experiences of haggling and compromise. Many individuals encounter negotiation scenarios in their daily lives, from salary discussions to marketplace bargaining, making these humorous takes instantly relatable.
The format’s versatility contributes significantly to its staying power. Negotiation memes can be adapted to virtually any situation where expectations clash with reality, ensuring their continued relevance across changing cultural landscapes.
Social media platforms have amplified the reach of these memes, with dedicated collections appearing on sites like Memedroid. Users create, share, and adapt negotiation memes to fit current events and personal experiences.
Professional negotiators and business consultants have embraced these memes as well. Companies like 10x Ascend showcase negotiation memes that capture contemporary business dynamics, demonstrating their value even in professional contexts.
The humor in these memes often stems from the stark contrast between what people expect versus what they actually receive. This fundamental tension in human interactions ensures the format remains fresh despite years of circulation.
Cultural references to famous negotiation scenes in movies and TV shows provide additional fodder for meme creators. The emotional response to unfair offers or ridiculous counteroffers transcends cultural boundaries, giving these memes international appeal.
Their simple format makes negotiation memes easily understood across different age groups and demographics. Even complex negotiation concepts become accessible when distilled into a relatable meme format.
4. Rick Harrison’s iconic phrase from Pawn Stars
Rick Harrison, the owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop featured on History Channel’s hit show “Pawn Stars,” became famous for his negotiation tactics. His most recognizable phrase, “Best I Can Do Is,” emerged as a catchphrase that perfectly captured the essence of haggling.
When customers bring items to the pawn shop, they typically have an optimistic price in mind. After examining the item and discussing its history and value, Rick delivers his counteroffer with the now-famous line.
The phrase became so associated with Harrison that it transcended the show itself. Viewers began noticing the predictable pattern in negotiations, where customers’ expectations were often met with significantly lower offers.
The internet quickly picked up on this recurring element of the show. The phrase turned into a meme that represents disappointment when reality doesn’t match expectations.
What made this particular phrase resonate was its authenticity. Rick wasn’t playing a character—he was genuinely trying to run a profitable business while giving fair prices based on his expertise.
The meme format typically shows Rick behind the counter with various captions where the top text states what someone wants or expects, while the bottom text reveals the much lower “best I can do” offer.
Fans of the show often quote the line in everyday situations that have nothing to do with pawn shops. It’s become shorthand for any lowball offer or compromise.
Merchandise featuring the catchphrase has become popular, with stickers and shirts bearing Rick’s image alongside his famous words.
The phrase reflects the broader appeal of “Pawn Stars,” which introduces viewers to unique items, historical artifacts, and the art of negotiation. Through this simple line, Rick Harrison created one of reality television’s most enduring pop culture contributions.
5. Memes depicting hard bargains
Hard bargain memes capture the humorous side of negotiation and deal-making. These memes often showcase the classic “take it or leave it” scenarios we encounter in everyday life.
One popular format involves someone offering a ridiculously low price for an item of value. The humor comes from the audacity of the lowball offer and the seller’s reaction.
Thrift store bargain hunters have created their own meme subculture. These bargain hunters and vintage fiends share relatable content about the thrill of finding incredible deals.
Home Bargains shoppers have also developed their own meme community. On TikTok, users create content celebrating their love for finding deals at this popular discount store, with some videos gaining significant engagement.
The “this is the best we can do” meme format typically features someone offering a subpar solution or compromise. It highlights the disappointment when reality falls short of expectations.
These memes often tap into the universal experience of haggling. Whether it’s negotiating with car salespeople, flea market vendors, or online marketplace sellers, the hard bargain dynamic is instantly recognizable.
The classic “EA Games” meme represents another type of hard bargain, where consumers feel they must pay extra for content that should be included in the base price. This meme about EA’s business practices has resonated with frustrated gamers.
Some hard bargain memes take a historical angle. The “there is nothing we can do” meme references historical figures like Napoleon in humorous contexts about inevitable outcomes.
These memes reflect our collective experience with the art of negotiation. They transform potentially frustrating situations into comedic relief that people can relate to across different contexts.
6. Classic exchange scenarios in meme culture
Meme culture thrives on recognizable exchange scenarios that create instant familiarity among internet users. These scenarios often follow predictable patterns while allowing for creative variations that keep them fresh and engaging.
The “best we can do” meme represents one of these classic exchanges. It typically features someone asking for something specific, only to receive a disappointing alternative that falls comically short of expectations.
This format gained popularity through shows like “Pawn Stars,” where customers would propose a price and the shop owner would counter with a much lower offer. The phrase “best I can do” became instantly recognizable in online communities.
Similar exchange patterns appear in other popular memes. The “caught in 4K” meme captures moments when someone is exposed in high definition doing something they previously denied, creating an instant gotcha moment.
Historical figures aren’t exempt from these exchange scenarios. Napoleon memes often depict dialogue where he delivers deadpan responses to serious situations, with some featuring the famous “there’s nothing we can do” exchange.
Classical art has provided fertile ground for exchange-based memes. Pages like “Classical Sarcasm” pair renaissance paintings with modern dialogue, creating humorous contrasts between old visuals and contemporary exchanges.
These exchange scenarios succeed partly because they tap into fundamental human communication patterns. They represent mutations of existing ideas into something new, following the principles of memetic evolution.
Positive exchange scenarios exist too. Some memes spread by encouraging kindness or generosity, showing exchanges where characters inspire friendly behavior in unexpected ways.
The staying power of these exchange scenarios demonstrates how deeply memes have become embedded in modern communication. They provide templates that anyone can use while still allowing for individual expression.
7. Humorous portrayal of haggling limits
Haggling has been a popular subject in internet memes, particularly the “Best We Can Do” format. This meme typically shows the comical limits of negotiation between buyers and sellers in various situations.
The meme often features a person attempting to negotiate a better price, only to be met with a firm “best we can do” response that barely budges from the original offer. This resonates with many people who have experienced similar situations in real life.
One popular version of this meme pokes fun at Google speech-to-text accuracy, showing how technological limitations mirror the frustration of haggling. The humor comes from the universal experience of having your reasonable request met with an absurdly small concession.
In workplace contexts, these memes also reflect professional boundaries. Correctional officers and other professionals use such humor to navigate the tension between professionalism and pushing conversational limits in high-stress environments.
The format typically shows an initial request or offer, followed by a counter-offer that barely differs from the original position. This minimal movement creates the comedic effect, reflecting real-life frustration when negotiating.
What makes these memes particularly effective is their use of enthymematic communication. Much like presidential jokes, they rely on shared understanding and implied meaning between creator and audience.
The “Best We Can Do” meme has evolved to apply to many situations beyond commercial transactions. It now encompasses salary negotiations, customer service interactions, and even personal relationships.
The meme’s enduring popularity stems from its simple yet effective format that captures the universal experience of disappointment when negotiations fall short of expectations. It transforms a frustrating real-life situation into a shared moment of humor.
8. Expressions of limited offers in memes
The “best we can do” meme often appears in marketing contexts where businesses present limited or underwhelming offers to consumers. These memes capture the disconnect between customer expectations and what companies actually deliver.
Marketing professionals have embraced this meme format to poke fun at industry practices. The humor typically centers around disappointing promotional deals or budget constraints that limit what can be offered to customers.
A common version shows a customer asking for a substantial discount, followed by the sales representative responding with “best we can do is 5%.” This format resonates with both consumers who feel underwhelmed by promotions and sales teams who struggle with tight margins.
These memes particularly flourish during major shopping events like Black Friday or end-of-season sales. They highlight how anticipated deep discounts often materialize as minimal price reductions that barely justify consumer excitement.
Marketing teams sometimes use these memes self-referentially in their social media strategies. By acknowledging limitations in their own offers, brands display self-awareness that can actually enhance customer relationships through humor and honesty.
The limited offer expression in memes also extends to non-retail situations. Job seekers frequently create memes about salary negotiations where the “best we can do” response from employers falls short of expectations.
Marketing professionals find these memes especially relatable when dealing with budget constraints. They often share versions that joke about limited resources allocated to important campaigns.
The format works effectively because it captures a universal experience. Nearly everyone has encountered a situation where they hoped for more but received a disappointing “this is the best we can do” response.
9. Rick Harrison as a meme icon
Rick Harrison became an unexpected internet celebrity through his role in the reality TV show “Pawn Stars.” The show, which began airing in 2009, featured Harrison and his family running their Las Vegas pawn shop.
Harrison’s deadpan expressions and predictable negotiating tactics made him perfect meme material. His catchphrase “Best I can do is…” became especially popular online as people found it relatable to many life situations.
The Pawn Stars Best I Can Do meme typically shows Harrison making a lowball offer for an item brought into his shop. This format quickly spread across social media platforms.
Another popular format began with “Hi, I’m Rick Harrison, and this is my pawn shop.” This phrase started appearing in chat platforms like Discord and Skype as a copypasta meme.
Harrison’s face has become synonymous with lowball offers and bargaining. The meme works because it taps into the universal experience of feeling undervalued or shortchanged in negotiations.
Multiple meme generators now feature Harrison’s image. Sites like Imgflip offer templates specifically for creating Rick Harrison memes.
The meme evolved over time as Advice Animals fell out of fashion. Harrison’s image remained popular, with his comedically low offers becoming the standalone “Best I Can Do Is” meme format.
Harrison’s meme status demonstrates how reality TV personalities can transcend their original context. His recognizable face and catchphrases created the perfect formula for meme longevity.
The pawn shop setting provides endless scenarios for the meme. People use it to comment on everything from salary negotiations to dating expectations.
10. Negotiation-based humor in memes
Negotiation memes have become a popular way to laugh about the often tense process of bargaining. These humorous images capture the back-and-forth nature of negotiations in business, sales, and everyday life.
One common theme in negotiation memes is the infamous “best we can do” format. This meme typically shows a seller or negotiator offering far less than what was initially requested, capturing the frustration of receiving lowball offers.
The tech industry particularly enjoys negotiation humor. According to 10x Ascend, there are several negotiation memes they love that resonate with their community of tech professionals and aspiring negotiation masters.
Real estate professionals also embrace negotiation humor. There are hilarious closing day and negotiation memes that capture the unique stresses of property transactions and the art of deal-making in real estate.
Sales teams often use memes to lighten the mood around tough negotiations. These relatable sales memes help teams share a laugh about common negotiation scenarios they face with clients and prospects.
Salary negotiation memes have found a special place on platforms like TikTok. Users create funny skits about corporate life that make light of the awkwardness of asking for better compensation.
The humor in negotiation memes often stems from exaggerating power dynamics. One party is typically shown as having unreasonable expectations while the other offers something ridiculously insufficient.
What makes negotiation memes so effective is their relatability. Almost everyone has experienced the frustration of haggling over price, value, or terms at some point in their lives.
The best negotiation memes capture universal truths about human interaction. They highlight our tendencies to overvalue our offerings while undervaluing others’, creating perfect fodder for humor that resonates across professional fields.
Key Features of the Meme
The “Best I Can Do” meme typically follows a consistent structure. It begins with an image of Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars, usually with a serious expression while negotiating. The top text represents what a customer wants, while the bottom text shows Harrison’s lowball offer.
Key visual elements include:
- Rick’s stern facial expression
- His characteristic negotiating posture
- The pawn shop setting in the background
The humor comes from the dramatic gap between expectation and reality. Successful versions of the meme often exaggerate this gap for comedic effect.
Text formatting typically uses the classic Impact font with white letters and black outline – standard for early 2010s memes. Modern iterations sometimes use updated formats while keeping the core joke intact.
Cultural Impact
The “Best I Can Do” meme has shaped online discourse and become a reference point for discussing unfair offers. It has transcended its origins on “Pawn Stars” to reflect broader social frustrations.
Influence on Internet Humor
The “Best I Can Do” meme has become a cornerstone of internet humor, originating from Rick Harrison’s negotiation tactics on the TV show “Pawn Stars.” This image macro typically features Harrison’s face with text mimicking his famous lowball offers.
What makes this meme so enduring is its versatility. People use it to joke about everything from salary negotiations to relationship compromises. The format perfectly captures the disappointment of expecting one thing but receiving much less.
Over time, the meme has evolved beyond its original format. Users have created countless variations, adapting it to fit current events and personal experiences. The meme’s widespread appeal connects to how “Pawn Stars” introduced viewers to the art of negotiation and deal-making.
Use in Social Commentary
Beyond humor, the “Best I Can Do” meme serves as powerful social commentary. It highlights power imbalances in everyday transactions and institutional systems where ordinary people often feel they’re getting the short end of the deal.
The meme frequently appears in discussions about wages, healthcare benefits, and government services. When workers demand better conditions only to receive minimal improvements, the meme perfectly captures this frustration.
Memes like this one create what some describe as an “augmented reality of cultures” that can result in real-world impacts. They translate complex social issues into simple, digestible formats that resonate emotionally.
The meme’s staying power comes from its ability to critique unfair situations while using humor as a coping mechanism. This combination makes it an effective tool for social commentary that connects with diverse audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
The “Best I Can Do” meme has become a cultural touchstone for depicting negotiation scenarios, particularly through Rick Harrison’s iconic phrase from Pawn Stars. These questions explore its origins, variations, and widespread usage across internet culture.
What is the origin of the ‘best I can do’ meme?
The “Best I Can Do” meme originated from the popular History Channel show Pawn Stars. Rick Harrison, the owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, frequently uses this phrase when negotiating with customers who bring items to sell.
The phrase typically follows a pattern: a customer requests a specific amount for their item, and Rick responds with “Best I can do is…” followed by a much lower offer. This interaction became instantly recognizable to viewers.
The meme gained significant traction online around 2010-2011 as the show’s popularity grew. Internet users began capturing screenshots of Rick’s negotiations and adding humorous captions to represent lowball offers in various contexts.
How is the ‘best we can do’ meme used in a humorous context?
The humor of the “Best I Can Do” meme comes from its application to everyday situations involving disappointment or lowered expectations. People use it to highlight absurd disparities between what someone wants and what they’re offered.
Common examples include workplace scenarios, where an employee asks for a raise and the boss responds with a minimal counter-offer. Another popular usage depicts dating situations where one person puts in significant effort while the other offers minimal commitment.
The meme works because it taps into the universal experience of negotiation frustration. Its versatility allows it to be applied to virtually any situation involving a gap between expectations and reality.
Are there any popular songs associated with the ‘best we can do’ meme?
Unlike some memes that have direct musical connections, the “Best I Can Do” meme isn’t typically associated with specific songs. The meme relies more on visual humor and text than musical accompaniment.
However, some creative users have occasionally paired the meme with songs about money, negotiation, or disappointment to enhance the humor. These musical pairings tend to be situational rather than standardized.
User-generated content sometimes includes background music from the Pawn Stars show itself, which helps establish the context for viewers familiar with the program.
What variations of the ‘best I can do’ meme involve food items, such as pizza?
Food-related variations of the “Best I Can Do” meme are particularly popular because they relate to everyday experiences. One common example shows someone ordering a large pizza but receiving a much smaller size with Rick’s face saying “Best I can do.”
Restaurant scenarios often depict a customer asking for a well-done steak, with the meme showing a burnt or raw steak captioned with the infamous phrase. These food variations resonate because they tap into universal disappointment with food service.
Another popular variation shows someone requesting healthy food options, only to be presented with junk food alternatives. The humor derives from the stark contrast between expectation and the disappointing reality.
How does the ‘best I can do’ meme relate to negotiation or bargaining scenarios?
The meme perfectly encapsulates the power dynamic in negotiation scenarios. It highlights the frustration of being on the receiving end of a lowball offer when you believe your item or service has greater value.
In online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, sellers often reference the meme when receiving unreasonable offers. The phrase has become shorthand for identifying bad-faith negotiation tactics.
Business professionals sometimes use the meme in presentations about negotiation strategies as a humorous example of what not to do. It serves as a cultural reference point for discussing fair bargaining practices.
What formats, such as GIFs, are commonly associated with the ‘best we can do’ meme?
Static image macros featuring Rick Harrison’s face with the caption “Best I can do is…” remain the most common format. These typically show Rick in his pawn shop with the text overlaid in impact font, the classic meme typeface.
Animated GIFs showing the actual negotiation scene from Pawn Stars have gained popularity as well. These short clips capture Rick’s facial expressions and body language, adding to the humor of the lowball offer.
Video remixes on platforms like TikTok and YouTube have expanded the meme’s reach by inserting Rick’s negotiation into various scenarios. These creative adaptations have helped the meme remain relevant years after its initial popularity.
