On social networks, the White House turns the war in Iran into macho entertainment

Extracts from video games, sport events, music: since the beginning of the American-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, the TikTok, Instagram, and X accounts of the White House have been filled with video montages showing the war as what The New York Times calls a “macho entertainment.”

These clips, described as “fast-paced, low-budget or self-produced,” are a communication tool to promote the American operation called “Epic Fury,” which is strongly dividing the United States, as highlighted in The Guardian, citing a recent poll by NPR/PBS/Marist where only 36% of the population approves of Trump’s handling of the war.

Superman and “Call of Duty”

The chosen strategy on social media targets “a very connected, very masculine, and often young segment of the ‘Maga new right’ that does not approve of foreign intervention.” According to The New York Times, the presence of male characters known for “kicking ass,” such as Walter White (from Breaking Bad), Kylo Ren (Star Wars), or Superman, confirms that the White House videos on Iran embrace no other ideals than domination and power.

Likewise, using video game excerpts like “Call of Duty” would aim to “dehumanize war and its consequences,” as analyzed by the British newspaper The Independent. Finally, online media Politico points out that “two actors [Ben Stiller and Steve Downes] appearing in the videos have stated that these images were used without their permission and have requested their removal.” Even within American military circles, this communication strategy is far from unanimous: “Former officials cringe at these videos.”