The George Washington meme primarily utilizes the famous 1796 Athenaeum Portrait painted by Gilbert Stuart, which is also the iconic image featured on the United States one-dollar bill. In digital culture, this stoic depiction of the first US President is often used to express disappointment, shock, or confusion regarding modern societal changes. These memes frequently juxtapose Washington's 18th-century sensibilities with contemporary technology and political discourse, serving as a staple of historical and political humor across social media platforms like Reddit and X.