NBC Correspondent's Viral Reaction to White House Shooting Sparks Memes

An NBC News correspondent's live reaction during a shooting incident near the White House has gone viral, leading to a flurry of memes and discussions on social media. Julie Tsirkin's startled response as gunfire erupted nearby captured the attention of viewers, prompting both humor and defense from online users. The incident involved a suspect who opened fire at a White House checkpoint, resulting in a chaotic scene. Tsirkin later shared her thoughts on the viral moment, embracing the humor while emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This article explores the incident and the subsequent online reactions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2026, 00:25 IST

Viral Moment During White House Shooting

During a live broadcast outside the White House, NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin experienced a startling moment when gunfire erupted nearby, leading to a viral reaction on social media. While reporting on Saturday, she was interrupted by the sound of multiple gunshots, prompting her to pause and inquire, "What is that?" as the loud noises resonated in the background. Initially, her cameraman speculated that the sounds might be fireworks, but the situation escalated quickly as Tsirkin and her team sought shelter when a Secret Service agent took position nearby.

Later, Tsirkin recounted on NBC News that she and her crew heard approximately "20 to 30" shots during the incident. "I ended up running after that happened. I saw a Secret Service agent come out of the security booth, guns drawn, telling all of us, the few of us who were out there, to run inside the press briefing room," she explained.

Authorities reported that a man named Nasire Best approached a White House checkpoint and opened fire after brandishing a handgun from a bag. A bystander sustained injuries before Secret Service officers returned fire, resulting in the suspect's death at the scene.

Reports indicate that the 21-year-old suspect had been seen pacing along 17th Street NW shortly before the shooting occurred around 6:10 PM local time. Sources revealed that he was known to the Secret Service and believed he had a divine identity. Former President Donald Trump later commented on Truth Social, suggesting the suspect had a "possible obsession" with the White House.

Another journalist, Selina Wang from ABC News, also shared her footage from the scene, noting it sounded like "dozens of gunshots." Tsirkin's reaction quickly gained traction online, with users comparing it to a popular meme featuring rapper Cardi B exclaiming, "Oh my God, what is that?!" While some users criticized her response, others defended her, stating that unfamiliarity with gunfire could lead to confusion. One user on X remarked, "I totally understand her reactions. I didn’t grow up around gunshots and was in my 30’s before I heard a gun fight. If you’ve never heard them before, it’s not immediately assumed to be gun fire."

As the footage circulated, internet users began creating parody videos, humorously altering the White House backdrop to include battlefields and fictional scenarios. Tsirkin later embraced the attention with humor, sharing an image on X of one of the memes on her computer screen. "I’m glad I could take one for the team, with [‘Saturday Night Live’] on summer break," she quipped. "Thanks for the memes, internet! Hope you’ll stick around for the reporting."