There's a simple answer to 'what did Michael Jordan do to the dog' TikTok trend

Micah Adams

There's a simple answer to 'what did Michael Jordan do to the dog' TikTok trend image

Every once in a while, a story emerges on the internet that goes viral for seemingly no logical reason. If you're one of TikTok's one billion users who just so happens to follow the NBA, you might have found yourself wondering why Michael Jordan was trending over the last week.

Upon closer investigation, you were probably even more confused with the thousands of people wondering 'what did Michael Jordan do to the dog?' Allow us to explain. Or at least try to.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons why Jordan could suddenly be trending.

From the incessant Jordan vs. LeBron GOAT debates to more reaction to 'The Last Dance' to a limited sneaker drop to those annual Forbes net worth lists, curious NBA fans are always searching about His Airness.

Except this time, Jordan's name is mysteriously attached to a vague query on TikTok with user wondering what he did to a dog?

It all started with a single POV TikTok video posted on November 15 by a someone with just over 1,000 followers.

 

@thegoatkyll

 

♬ original sound - Be back in 2024

 

This video, which now has over two million views, was just the beginning. In the weeks that followed, dozens of other videos have popped up, all asking the same question. 

There have been videos positing fake stories of Jordan being attacked by a dog. There are fake stories that Jordan's dog, Spinee, is recovering from surgery despite the fact that Jordan does not have a dog named Spinee. One video — that provides no new information whatsoever — has over nine million views.

Scroll through the comments and you'll find scores of people all asking the same question, looking for the same answer.

Google it, and you'll find nothing. Michael Jordan did nothing to a dog.

And that's exactly what this is... nothing. Which is the point! The internet is at its best — or worst, depending on your perspective — when it dupes millions of people into speculating about an answer that doesn't exist. 

Long story short: 'What did Michael Jordan do to the dog' is an inside joke on TikTok. That's it.

Micah Adams

Micah Adams Photo

Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate and Commercial Content at Sporting News. Prior to joining SN in 2021, Adams spent over a decade producing and leading content teams at ESPN, DAZN and The Social Institute. Adams graduated from Duke University in 2009 and remains a Cameron Crazie at heart well into his 30s. When not losing sleep or hair over the Blue Devils, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bulls, and USMNT, Adams enjoys chasing his two small children around along with his wife, losing golf balls, spending time outdoors and binging terrible movies.