Storm Area 51 – viral meme, US military, internet conspiracy, aliens, UFOs, Nevada desert, Facebook event, true story. In 2019, a joke Facebook post about storming Area 51 went viral and triggered a full-scale media frenzy that put the US military on high alert. What started as an internet meme turned into a real-world phenomenon that captured the world’s attention.

In this episode, we speak with Jack MacInnes, director of the latest Trainwreck episode covering the Storm Area 51 event. He breaks down what really happened, how the story spiralled out of control, and why this strange moment in internet culture still matters. From alien hunters to military warnings, this is the bizarre true story behind one of the internet’s most unforgettable viral events.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:32 – Overview of Trainwreck: Storm Area 51

03:26 – The Origin of the Storm Area 51 Meme

08:10 – The Cultural Impact and Narrative of the Event

10:56 – The Role of Influencers and Media

14:19 – Understanding Memes and Their Evolution

16:11 – The Journey to Rural Nevada and Its Significance

18:27 – Exploring the Mystique of Area 51

20:16 – The Meme That Became a Movement

23:13 – The Seriousness of a Joke

25:50 – The Fallout of the Event

28:31 – The Reality of Attendance

29:44 – The Internet's Role in the Phenomenon

31:51 – The Aftermath and Reflections

34:41 – Future Endeavours and New Projects