In an effort to sell the Iran war to the American people, the White House has been using TikTok-style videos of missile strikes spliced into movie clips and video games, administration officials tell Politico.
The U.S. and Israel initiated the conflict on February 28. Early polls showed low public support for the war in its early days, according to the New York Times. At the start of the war, only about 41 percent of the public supported it. By comparison, Iraq war had 75 percent public support when it began in 2003.
President Trump did not seek authorization from Congress before launching the war. Since the conflict began the administration has deployed a viral social media strategy meant to bolster support. In one mash up, the administration spliced together big football hits with missile strikes:
Touchdown pic.twitter.com/aDNdqBdRzG
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 6, 2026
In another, the White House communications team incorporated a video game meme from Grand Theft Auto:
OPERATION EPIC FURY
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 6, 2026
• Destroy Iran's missile arsenal.
• Destroy their navy.
• Ensure they NEVER get a nuclear weapon.
Locked in. pic.twitter.com/ika3MMJmZT
"We're over here just grinding away on banger memes, dude," a senior White House official who asked to remain anonymous told Politico. "There's an entertainment factor to what we do. But ultimately, it boils down to the fact that no one has ever attempted to communicate with the American public this way before."
Another White House official praised the effort, noting that over a four-day period, their posts garnered 3 billion impressions. "That blows away anything we've ever done in the second term," the official said.
The communications strategy, however, has not amused everyone.
"I don't think the performance of our men and women in uniform requires embellishment from Hollywood or computer games," Joe Votel, a former Central Command chief during the first Trump administration, told Politico. "They represent the American people quite well on their own."
"It just seems detached from reality," retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges told Politico. "Our allies look at this and they wonder, what the hell is going on. It doesn't look like we're serious."
Thus far, 13 Americans have died in the conflict, according to the New York Times.
