Kim Kardashian West turned 40 last week and didn't want to let her global pandemic prevent them from celebrating their birthday the way a billionaire should. On Tuesday, Kardashian West decided to tell the world about the party on social media.
"After doing multiple health screenings for two weeks and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were only normal for a brief moment," tweeted them, including photos of the decadent bash.
"We danced, rode bicycles, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach, and more," she wrote, adding a number of additional tweets filled with glamorous photos of the expensive event were.
Kardashian West sought to counter the inevitable backlash by acknowledging her rare position, writing, "I realize that this is so far out of reach for most people right now that at moments like this, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is is. "
We danced, rode bicycles, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach, and more. I realize this is so far out of reach for most people right now. In moments like this, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is. #this is 40 pic.twitter.com/UYOcVBpytW
- Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
Yet somehow her not-so-humble boast didn't make it easier to go out with others who hadn't celebrated so luxuriously during the pandemic.
Not the time
Social media let her have it.
"Hello Poors!" A tweet started. "I know you're hurt right now and can't figure out how to support your family, but please enjoy these photos from my family's expensive vacation! I know I'm lucky enough to be so fabulously rich, so am I'm going to mention it to sound likable (I'm really not). "
Another said, "Happy birthday. I hope someone gave you an alphabet book so you can learn to read the room."
Name this island
Kardashian West's very specific formulation also inspired many sharp digs, particularly the use of the "inner circle" and the idea of moving to an unidentified private island. Perhaps this island was Dr. Moreau? Fantasy Island? Gilligan's Island? A specific Isla Nublar from Jurassic Park? Jeffrey Epstein's Island?
Bring your "next inner circle"
And who exactly was in this "closest inner circle"? The large group included a few NBA players, including Devin Booker and Tristan Thompson, who are with Kim's sisters, Kendall and Khloe. But whoever the "circle" included, social media used that phrase and tweeted about it.
It's their party
Some felt that Kardashian West had the right to enjoy her birthday as her huge stacks of money allowed.
"She posted her birthday pictures and is literally being slandered for them, yikes y'all," wrote a Twitter user.
Another said, "I say good for you. If I had the resources, I would probably do the same. People who criticize you gave you the fame and the resources to live a privileged life. Fuck them."
And like all memes, this one has as short a lifespan as Mike Pence's fly.
"After recreating this meme for 2 hours joylessly, I surprised my inner circle by walking slowly into the ocean with stones in my pockets," wrote comedian Dan Sheehan.