The 'Budd Dwyer' meme centers around the tragic televised press conference of R. Budd Dwyer, the Treasurer of Pennsylvania, in 1987. Facing significant prison time for bribery convictions he maintained were unjust, Dwyer took his own life during a live broadcast. In the decades following, the footage became a staple of early internet shock sites like LiveLeak and Rotten.com, eventually transitioning into the realm of dark humor memes. It is often referenced in discussions about the 1980s, media ethics, or used as a template for 'grim realization' moments. The incident also famously inspired the Filter song 'Hey Man Nice Shot,' further cementing its place in alternative pop culture history.