The Benito Mussolini meme primarily draws from the Italian dictator's highly animated and theatrical public speaking style, characterized by exaggerated chin-thrusting and dramatic hand gestures. In the modern era, these clips and images are often repurposed on platforms like Twitter and Reddit to mock over-the-top posturing or failed grand ambitions. Additionally, a significant portion of the 'Mussolini meme' subculture revolves around his final moments at Piazzale Loreto, which has led to the common 'upside-down' image flip joke. These memes are frequently used in historical communities to satirize the rise and fall of authoritarian regimes or to poke fun at those who take themselves too seriously.