Reaction images pulled from YouTube thumbnails have become a major source for memes in recent years, especially when it comes to thumbnails from the media discussion channel New Rockstars.

Examples like "What Was He Cooking?" and "6 Months Venom" are just two notable instances, but one, featuring the character Wong from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) alongside bold yellow text reading "Why Is He Lying?" has become a staple of comment sections around the internet since late 2022.

So, what exactly is the "Why Is He Lying?" meme, and how did this simple thumbnail become a reaction used across various social media platforms to jokingly accuse someone of being dishonest? Here's what we know.

Where Does The 'Why Is He Lying?' Image Come From?

The “Why Is He Lying?” meme originates from a YouTube thumbnail created by the channel New Rockstars. The thumbnail, used for a video titled “WONG Joining the Thunderbolts? She-Hulk Episode 3 Predictions! | The Breakroom,” was uploaded on September 1st, 2022, with the thumbnail quickly catching viewers’ attention.

The image features Wong, played by actor Benedict Wong, alongside large yellow text asking, “Why is he lying?” This style matches other New Rockstars thumbnails, which often use exaggerated expressions and bold captions to spark curiosity and grab attention. Over time, the image was screenshotted and shared beyond YouTube.

The first instance of it being used as a reaction came in early October 2022, when X / Twitter user @LeEyepoke posted a cropped version of the thumbnail in response to a post that reads, "Draymond Green said the looming contract situation 'had nothing' to do with the punch of Jordan Poole."

pic.twitter.com/rTlN3REQVq

— curry 3-1 lebron (@LeEyepoke) October 8, 2022

By 2023, the thumbnail had begun circulating the web more widely as a reaction image on platforms like X and TikTok, with users adopting it to call out statements they believed were false or misleading.

How Is 'Why Is He Lying?' Used In Memes?

As the image spread into the mid-2020s, “Why Is He Lying?” became a staple reaction meme used to reply to questionable claims. Its tone is usually playful rather than serious, making it perfect for lighthearted callouts or ironic responses.

The reaction image is usually used when replying directly to a post to suggest someone is exaggerating or making something up. The humor comes from the overly dramatic framing of what might be a minor or obvious statement.

Another example involves pairing the image with captions or quotes to amplify the accusation. In these cases, the meme acts as a visual punchline, reinforcing the idea that the subject isn’t being truthful.

What Are Other Variants Of The 'Why Is He Lying?' Meme?

A related trend emerged in June 2025 with the opposite version, known as “Why Is He Telling the Truth?” This variation flips the joke, reacting to surprisingly honest or blunt statements instead of lies.

Other variants utilize the original image, typically edited to follow the phrasal template "Why Is X?" with additions and edits depending on what the user is attempting to address.

These variations allow social media users to tailor their responses to very specific situations, rather than lying (or telling the truth) in general.

What Are Some Related Memes?

A closely related meme is the "Does He Know?" format, which is another reaction image derived from a New Rockstars YouTube thumbnail. This version features the Batman character Riddler, played by actor Paul Dano, alongside the caption, “Does he know?”

Like “Why Is He Lying?” it uses a dramatic facial expression and bold text to create an instantly recognizable reaction format.

Both memes gained traction around the same time and are often grouped with other New Rockstars thumbnail reactions. While “Why Is He Lying?” is typically used to accuse someone of dishonesty, “Does He Know?” is used to imply that someone is unaware of something important or obvious.

What Are Some Examples Of 'Why Is He Lying?' Memes?

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For the full history of the Why is He Lying? meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry.