Since the Democrats swept the midterms and regained control of Congress, memes have been making rounds on the internet. One of the viral memes is Parker Posey's iconic moment from the third season of HBO's The White Lotus, featuring her exaggerated pronunciation of the word 'tsunami.' With the Democrats flipping many Republican strongholds, netizens declared it as a "blue tsunami."
Posey starred as Victoria in The White Lotus' third season, which was filmed in Thailand. She spoke in a noticeable Southern accent, with a penchant for stretching out words, perhaps due to the character's routine use of drugs.
Throughout the series, Victoria panicked about a tsunami hitting their vacation spot. The scene first went viral in 2025 but has resurfaced after Tuesday's election night.
Actor and podcast host Evan Ross Katz also jumped on the bandwagon and shared a screenshot of Posey on his Instagram, captioned, "Did somebody say tsunami?" As of now, the Democrats have 240 seats in the House, with 30 seats gained, and 54 seats in the Senate, with 7 seats gained.
There are still many races uncalled, as multiple media reports suggest Democrats are estimated to take an 81-seat majority in the House and a several-seat majority in the Senate, flipping control of Congress. Political analysts suggest that the resurgence of this meme highlights how pop culture often intersects with political discourse in the digital age.
The "blue tsunami" narrative has become a shorthand for the party's unexpected electoral success across various states. The viral nature of the clip is attributed to Posey's unique delivery, which has become a staple for internet users looking to express shock or overwhelming change.
As the final vote counts continue to trickle in, the meme remains a central theme in online political commentary. The White Lotus continues to be a cultural touchstone, and this specific moment serves as a reminder of how television moments can transcend their original context to become symbols of real-world events.
Supporters of the Democratic party have embraced the meme, using it to celebrate their legislative gains. Meanwhile, the production team of the show has yet to comment on the unexpected political life their scene has taken on.
As the nation watches the final tallies, the "tsunami" meme serves as both a humorous relief and a reflection of the shifting political landscape in the United States.