The Twitter $8 Blue Checkmark meme emerged in late 2022 following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and the subsequent launch of the revised Twitter Blue subscription. The policy allowed any user to purchase a verification badge for eight dollars, which immediately triggered a massive wave of impersonation and 'verified' parody accounts. Iconic moments, such as the fake Eli Lilly account announcing free insulin or a verified Nintendo account posting an out-of-character Mario, defined this era of internet history. The meme is typically used to critique corporate decision-making, highlight the absurdity of paid status symbols, and celebrate the temporary digital anarchy that ensued during the rollout.