In 2020, one Vox analysis of Iran–U.S. war memes found Gen Z treating the possibility of World War III like a joke, equating it to a Fortnite match or a party invite.

How the Trisha Paytas War Meme ignited a battle with My Chemical Romance fans *SCREAMS* Angela Andaloro Posted on January 24 2025 7:34 am CST @blndsundoll4mj/YouTube ...

And while the memes are absurd, the anxiety behind them is not. From war outfit hauls to camo-inspired accessories, TikTok users are treating WW3 prep like a trend, not a threat. Kylie_sp@m12/ TikTok ...