White House Unveils Controversial Video: Iran Strikes Meet Hollywood Blockbusters in ‘American Justice’ Montage

The Trump administration faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats after releasing a controversial video montage that featured U.S. military strikes against Iran interwoven with scenes from well-known movies. The video, shared on Thursday night, sparked outrage for seemingly trivializing conflict in the Middle East.

The video, posted on the platform X, combined dramatic clips from Hollywood hits such as “Gladiator” and “Top Gun: Maverick” with footage of military attacks on Iranian targets. Accompanied by the caption “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY,” the montage was further promoted by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth made a brief appearance in the 42-second clip, which was packed with scenes from films like “Transformers,” “Braveheart,” and “Iron Man,” along with popular television series “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” It also included elements from the “Star Wars” franchise and video games like Halo and Mortal Kombat, culminating in a voice declaring a “flawless victory.”

A user on X sarcastically noted, “White House trying to get every copyright strike known to man.”

Actor Ben Stiller voiced his disapproval, urging the Trump team to “please remove the Tropic Thunder clip.”

“We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie,” Stiller expressed on X.

The White House later posted additional videos drawing from footage in the video game “Grand Theft Auto” and juxtaposing Major League Baseball hitters at bat with missile strikes that it called “pure American dominance.”

“Wake up, Daddy’s Home,” boasted White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr, referencing the nickname NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte gave to Trump last year.

Responses across the political spectrum ranged from outrage to disgust to disbelief to awe — with former “Hercules” actor Kevin Sorbo suggesting the taxpayer-funded video creator should be given “a raise.”

“My future children won’t believe me when I tell them The White House posted this,” another X user said.

But some conservatives claimed the video was distracting from the platform that got President Trump elected in 2024.

“The hype edits are stupid,” wrote Ryan Neuhaus, a former chief of staff to Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts. “We want mass deportations, the legislative agenda you campaigned on, and no more wars.”

Others said the montage looked like it had been put together by a child.

“Are 12 year olds the median voter now,” asked New Yorker journalist Jay Caspian Kang.

And liberals denounced the post for treating a serious war between the US and Iran like a video game.

“The entire Trump Cabinet is made up of people play acting actual leaders and now they do videos confirming it,” said Neera Tanden, a former staff secretary in President Joe Biden’s White House.

White House communications director Steven Cheung had replied to critics of a previous hype video on the Iran war by declaring on his X: “W’s in the chat, boys!”

Public polling in the wake of the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran — which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28 — found a majority of Americans oppose the military actions.

The latest RealClearPolitics polling average recorded 48.6% of respondents to surveys are against the strikes, while 43.0% approve.

On Friday, Trump warned in a Truth Social post: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

“After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” the president said.

Trump added: “IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).’ Thank you for your attention to this matter!”