The Clown Applying Makeup meme features a 4-panel illustration of a character gradually putting on a full clown costume. It originated from a piece of artwork by Twitter user @p_nggu in 2017. The meme gained massive viral status in 2019 as a visual metaphor for people who talk themselves into increasingly ridiculous positions or double down on poor logic. Each panel represents a step further into self-delusion, ending with the subject in full face paint and a wig, perfectly capturing the feeling of making a fool of oneself through a series of escalating choices.