Why Everyone Is 'Crashing Out': Inside the Internet's Most Chaotic Meme Craze
By Sarah Jenkins
The explosion of the crashing out meme accelerated when visual culture gave the phrase a memorable face. In early 2026, footage from Pixar's animated project Hoppers introduced audiences to Tom the Lizard. With dilated pupils, flared nostrils, and trembling claws, the character became an instant viral reaction image. Clips of Tom slamming surfaces paired with aggressive bass-boosted audio tracks generated billions of impressions on TikTok within weeks.
The meme quickly leaped from fictional cartoons into raw financial volatility. On June 24, 2026, shares of Wendy’s surged over 40% during an unexpected trading session after retail investors on Reddit's WallStreetBets orchestrated an aggressive short squeeze, driving volume to historic intraday highs. Financial commentary dubbed the speculative frenzy a collective crash out, with day traders openly celebrating high-risk margin calls with animated clips of Tom the Lizard.
A month later, on July 24, 2026, another high-profile financial implosion mirrored the meme. The controversial meme coin tied to internet personality Andrew Tate plummeted over 40% following escalating legal crackdowns in Eastern Europe. Disgruntled holders flooded X with crash out reaction videos, smashing computer monitors, burning merchandise, and sharing voice notes screaming at crypto influencers. The aesthetic of self-inflicted disaster had become mainstream theater.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
