The Sarah Jeong hiring controversy erupted in August 2018 when The New York Times announced her as a new member of their editorial board. Almost immediately, critics unearthed a series of past tweets from Jeong that many labeled as derogatory toward white people. The New York Times defended the hire, stating that Jeong was responding to online harassment by 'counter-trolling' in the same language as her attackers. This defense itself became a meme, as internet users highlighted perceived double standards in media accountability and the definition of professional conduct. Today, the controversy is often cited in discussions about cancel culture and institutional bias, with memes frequently juxtaposing her hire with the dismissal of other public figures for similar or lesser social media offenses.