The Donald Trump Presidential Alert meme originated in October 2018 when the U.S. government conducted the first-ever nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Millions of Americans simultaneously received a 'Presidential Alert' notification on their smartphones, which quickly became a target for internet humor. Memers began photoshopping the alert's text to feature everything from political satire to absurd demands and pop culture references. The template remains a popular way to grab attention, mimicking the high-stakes feel of a government emergency message to deliver punchlines that range from the trivial to the ridiculous.