Survivor 48 contestants and fans had wild reactions to David Kinne dramatically standing up during tribal council. In Touch has their most incredible reactions to the move.

Mary Zheng Thought David Standing at Tribal Council Was ‘Hilarious’

David’s action came as host Jeff Probst announced that the California native’s former alliance mate, Mary Zheng, had been voted off during the Survivor episode that aired on May 7, 2025. After the votes were read, David silently stood up with his hands clasped in front of him and a solemn face as if he was mourning a fallen soldier.

“I wanted to cry out of sadness when I got voted out. And I did not expect that I would be crying out of f–king laughter at David standing up,” Mary told Parade on May 8, 2025.

The drug abuse counselor described what it was like to watch it back on the show.

“I had heard about that moment. Honestly, I did not see that when it was happening. I was out of body when it was all going down. And I had heard people be like, ‘Yo, David stood up,’ and I’m like, The f–k? Like, stood up and sat down? What’s going on?’” she continued.

“And to watch him literally stand up, as if I’m his fallen comrade. I love David so much. That was hilarious. David has always been … he’s got a lot of heart. And in that moment, he was feeling it. So, yes, f–king hilarious,” Mary added, while going on to refer to David’s jury mate Star Toomey.

“And also, Star trying to hold back her laughter, trying to be like as polite as she could, literally, while in her mind, thinking, ‘God damn David, sit your ass down!’” Mary joked.

Star Toomey Called David Standing at Tribal Council ‘TV Gold’

Star was seen covering her face to hide her laughter as she sat behind David on the jury bench when he stood up.

In case there was any question whether or not she was highly amused, Star wrote on X right after the episode aired, “Somebody tell this man to sit tf down I’m trying so hard not to laugh.”

She later told followers, “We need more standing David memes this is TV GOLD,” thanks to all of the memes fans had created about his now infamous Survivor moment.

Cedrek McFadden Said David Standing at Tribal Council Was ‘A Lot’

Cedrek McFadden was sitting next to David on the jury bench when he rose to his feet. The cancer surgeon described how eerie it was in the silence of the actual filming.

“When you’re filming Survivor, there’s no background music. At first, it takes some getting used to — on TV, you’re used to the drums, the suspense, the music telling you how to feel. Out there? Nothing,” he wrote on X on May 8, 2025.

“So, when something like this happens at Tribal, it’s full, echoing silence. No drum. No dramatic music. Just your fellow castmate … standing,” he added.

“Needless to say, we had a lot to unpack that night at Ponderosa,” Cedrek said about how the jury members discussed what happened at tribal council after filming.

Survivor 48 Contestants Could Hardly Contain Their Laughter at David Standing Up

As the episode aired, castaway Kamilla Karthigesu was shown smiling and trying not to burst out laughing in a cutaway after David stood up. Similarly, fellow competitor Shauhin Davari was also smiling and amused.

What Did David Say About Standing Up at Tribal Council?

The stunt performer hasn’t fully explained himself, but David seemed proud of how strong and buff he looked via a May 9, 2025, post on X.

“David what are you doing??? SIT DOWN! Star was fighting for her life in the background,” a fan wrote with laughing emojis and a picture of him standing at tribal council with Star trying not to laugh.

“That lighting though,” David captioned the repost photo, seemingly thrilled with how handsome he looked in his sleeveless, muscle-baring tank top.

Fans Were Divided About David Standing at Tribal Council

One thing fans could agree on was that David standing upright while on the jury was a much-needed moment of drama in a very lackluster season.

“I’m so sorry but this is THE moment of the season for me. The solemn look on David’s face as he rises to pay his final respects for Mary … A+, no notes, incredible work,” one viewer wrote on X.

“THIS, is the BIGGEST move of the season. HOW, IS DAVID, STANDING, THE BIGGEST MOVE. OF THE SEASON. CUT THE CAMERAS, this season SUCKS,” a second fan huffed on X.

“David might be the cringiest Survivor player of all time. Sit your big ass down,” a third viewer posted, while a fourth wrote on X, “David still somehow making it about him from the jury bench. So embarrassing.”