Yeah, memes can be sued for defamation if they drop a false claim about someone and that claim damages their reputation. The key points are: the statement must be false, presented as fact, and the poster must be at least negligent in checking the truth. Defenses exist—truth is an absolute defense, and parody or opinion may be protected under the First Amendment, but a meme that plainly says “John Doe stole money” without proof can still be litigated. In short, if the meme is a false, harmful claim, the creator can be on the hook. 1 2

Putting a “Not real” sticker is a clever tactic, but courts might see it as a disclaimer—just like a signpost in a courtroom. The key question is whether the disclaimer actually stops the false statement from being read as fact. In some jurisdictions a clear disclaimer can shield you, but others treat it as an admission that the content could be defamatory. So you might need more than a sticker; a well‑phrased disclaimer and evidence of intent to avoid harm are the real legal armor. [1]