The 'Jim' meme originated from a series of speeches given by Donald Trump in 2017, where he repeatedly referenced a 'very, very substantial friend' named Jim who used to love Paris but allegedly stopped visiting because the city had 'changed.' The internet quickly latched onto the story, with journalists and comedians questioning whether Jim was a real person or a rhetorical invention used to bolster political talking points. This meme template is widely used to mock unverified anecdotes, create fictional conversations with invisible characters, or satirize the way public figures use 'friends' to voice controversial opinions without taking direct ownership. It remains a popular choice for political humorists focusing on the theatrical nature of campaign rhetoric.