Gawker Media, founded by Nick Denton, became the face of early 2000s digital media through its unapologetic, snarky, and often controversial reporting. The site became a meme in itself following the high-profile lawsuit involving Hulk Hogan, which was secretly funded by billionaire Peter Thiel and ultimately led to the company's bankruptcy. In meme culture, Gawker is often used to symbolize the 'Wild West' era of the internet, the dangers of litigious billionaires, or the inevitable consequences of pushy tabloid journalism. Users often utilize the Gawker logo or imagery from its various sub-sites like Deadspin and Gizmodo to comment on media ethics and the evolution of digital journalism.