Michael Jackson Lowering a Gun

The "Michael Jackson Lowering a Gun" meme originates from a video taken during Michael Jackson's HIStory World Tour concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, on August 14, 1997. The video captures a moment during his performance of "Earth Song" when an actor on stage points a gun at Jackson, and he slowly lowers it with his hand. This gesture was interpreted as a symbolic act calling for the end of war.

The meme began gaining attention in August 2020 when YouTube user ZahidMJ uploaded remastered clips of the performance. Later, in December 2022, TikTok user @longliveroyalty posted the clip, sparking widespread popularity. By early 2023, Twitter users began applying the clip to various contexts, rapidly spreading the meme.

This meme is used in diverse situations, such as calming down opponents in online debates or satirizing political and social issues. Notable examples include references to NBA player Ja Morant's controversy and tweets humorously portraying an individual attempting to stop the Ukraine war.