10 memes trolling cardboard Mojtaba Khamenei with Trump and Rubio after rally cutout appears
WASHINGTON, DC: Social media erupted with memes after people spotted a cardboard cutout of Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, at a ceremony standing in for the real person.
The situation appeared bizarre, and it did not take long for users on X, Instagram, and other platforms to begin sharing jokes and edited photos poking fun at the cardboard stand-in.
Some memes even brought in Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, reacting to the cutout as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
A massive rally in Tehran introduced Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei but he didn’t appear in person.
— Euro Radar (@radar_euro11) March 11, 2026
Instead, organizers displayed a cardboard cutout of the leader, which quickly went viral online.#Iran #Tehran #MojtabaKhamenei #MiddleEast pic.twitter.com/gRJQiC5sFn
Here are 10 memes of Khamenei and other figures making rounds on social media.
1. Marco Rubio meme mocks Khamenei cutout
One meme on X showed Secretary of State Marco Rubio sitting and relaxing on a sofa alongside Mojtaba Khamenei. The post read, “Marco Rubio sits down with the new supreme leader of Iran”
Marco Rubio sits down with the new supreme leader of Iran 😭 pic.twitter.com/mbNG6zC1in
— Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes) March 10, 2026
2. Trump shows Khamenei cardboard in Oval Office
One meme showed a video clip of Trump showing the cardboard cutout of Khamenei to Laura Ingraham in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump shows Laura Ingraham the cardboard ayatollah 🤣
— Gizmo Memes (@GizmoMemes) March 11, 2026
Meme w/ @BasedRose pic.twitter.com/5KQsBW7Rkq
3. Titanic meme featuring Mojtaba Khamenei
One meme featured a satirical photo of Khamenei standing at the edge of the Titanic with the caption, “Im the new supreme leader!”
4. Marco Rubio as the new ayatollah
One meme portrayed Marco Rubio as the new Ayatollah of Iran by placing his head in the cardboard cutout where Khamenei’s face would be. “Show me your favorite Cardboard Ayatollah meme. I’ll start with this masterpiece”
Show me your favorite Cardboard Ayatollah meme.
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) March 11, 2026
I’ll start with this masterpiece: https://t.co/A7rG8uGTny
5. USS Cardboard dispatched by Trump
Another meme on X sarcastically claimed that Trump had dispatched USS Cardboard to deal with Iran. “Breaking: Trump dispatches USS Cardboard to take out cardboard Supreme Leader Khamenei”
🚨 Breaking: Trump dispatches USS Cardboard to take out cardboard Supreme Leader Khamenei pic.twitter.com/OzSBA9CwMw
— David Keyes (@DavidMKeyes) March 10, 2026
6. Trump and cardboard Khamenei chilling in Oval Office
Another meme focused on Trump sitting and chatting with the cardboard version of Khamenei in the Oval Office. “He's kinda quiet, BUT WE'RE GETTING ALONG GREAT!!!”
He's kinda quiet —BUT WE'RE GETTING ALONG GREAT!!!🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ol7jfAeRsb
— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) March 11, 2026
7. Mojtaba Khamenei waiting meme goes viral
This meme on X humorously showed the cardboard version of Khamenei sitting and waiting for the US to eliminate him. “Mojtaba Khamenei waiting to be eliminated”
Mojtaba Khamenei waiting to be eliminated pic.twitter.com/Zld9oF0tca
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) March 10, 2026
8. Tucker Carlson parody features cardboard Khamenei
Another meme involved Tucker Carlson, portraying the cardboard cutout as his next guest. “Tucker Carlson's next guest....”
9. Leonardo DiCaprio dances with cardboard Khamenei meme
A video on X mocked the cardboard cutout by making it waltz and dance romantically with Leonardo DiCaprio.
10. Marco Rubio’s work in art class
A meme on X sarcastically congratulated Marco Rubio for his work in art class, referring to the cardboard cutout of Khamenei. “Look what @marcorubio made in art class today!”
Look what @marcorubio made in art class today! pic.twitter.com/CmbrIkox8Y
— Quality Learing Center (@QualityLearing_) March 10, 2026
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