What Is The 'Savannah, Slow Down' Meme And Where Did It Come From? The Viral Video And TikTok Audio Explained

Ex-Donald Trump employee Omarosa Manigault Newman is back in the spotlight again, but this time as a TikTok meme. A 2018 interview between Omarosa and Savannah Guthrie is going viral again on the platform and it's inspiring viral lip dub memes across the platform. But what is the context behind the audio clip and why is it a meme in 2024? Here's what we know.

What Is The 'Savannah, Slow Down' Meme?

Back in August 2018, Omarosa Manigault Newman released the book Unhinged, in which she makes several allegations against then-President Donald Trump, including claims that he's racist and a liar. Before this, in 2004, Omarosa appeared on the first season of The Apprentice, hosted by Trump. Later, in 2017, she worked under him as his Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison during his time as president, resigning after only a year.

To promote and discuss her book, Omarosa appeared on TODAY, where she was interviewed by journalist Savannah Guthrie. At one point in the interview, Guthrie asks Omarosa a few too many questions at once, resulting in Omarosa telling her, "Savannah, slow down. I'm gonna answer your question, don't worry. I'm here, I've got all the time you need. You don't have to ask 10 questions in one second, it's okay."

How Is 'Savannah, Slow Down' Used In Memes?

At the end of July 2024, the clip was reuploaded to TikTok, where it went viral to the tune of over 6.5 million views in just over a month. TikTokers began using the audio, in which Savannah asks her the questions and Omarosa tells her to slow down, as a lip dub meme. In that same span of time, the original audio was used over 50,000 times on the platform.

Typically, the memes see TikTokers display a caption as Savannah asks her questions. The caption represents someone giving the TikToker advice on how they might stop a negative habit or asking them to do something for them. The TikToker then lip syncs, "Savannah, slow down," as if telling the person to "slow down" or "ease up" with their request or advice, suggesting they will not be listening to them.

For the full history of the "Savannah, Slow Down" meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.