The Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout swap meme emerged following the high-profile 2022 prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. After Griner was detained for possessing hashish oil, the U.S. government negotiated her release in exchange for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. This event sparked a massive wave of internet memes, often comparing the 'value' of the two individuals or using the 'Trade Offer' format to critique the diplomatic decision. The meme is widely used to illustrate perceived imbalances in negotiations, political irony, and the surreal nature of international diplomacy in the modern era.