The Donkey staring meme typically features the character Donkey from the Shrek franchise or a real-life donkey looking directly into the camera lens with an intense, judging expression. It became a viral reaction image used to respond to awkward social media posts, bad takes, or questionable life choices. The humor stems from the animal's piercing, unblinking gaze, which perfectly captures the feeling of being speechless or disappointed. It has become a staple in the reaction meme canon for highlighting moments of total disbelief or silent judgment.