In a biting social media exchange, Ben Stiller has trolled the White House’s official X account after it featured a scene from his satirical war comedy Tropic Thunder in a promotional video. The 60-year-old actor didn’t mince words, urging officials to remove the clip and distancing his work from what he called a ‘propaganda machine.’
The video in question was a high-energy compilation blending iconic moments from blockbuster hits—Top Gun dogfights, Superman heroics, Transformer battles, Breaking Bad intensity, Iron Man action, and Stiller’s own Tropic Thunder antics—with real U.S. military footage. Captioned ‘Justice the American way,’ it aimed to rally patriotic fervor but instead sparked artist fury.
Stiller’s retort was direct: ‘Hey White House, please take down the Tropic Thunder clip. We didn’t license it to you and have zero interest in being part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie.’ His comments align with a growing list of celebrities protesting similar appropriations, including Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, and Radiohead.
Kesha joined the fray earlier this week, slamming the use of her track ‘Blow’ in a TikTok video depicting explosive naval warfare. ‘War is not a game or a movie,’ she declared on Instagram, emphasizing her stance against violence glorification. The White House’s response was dismissive, with Communications Director Steven tweeting that such complaints only boost their visibility: ‘Thanks for the attention.’
This pattern of repurposing pop culture for political messaging isn’t new. Recall the Trump-era video on immigration enforcement raids that ignited public debate. As Stiller’s rebuke gains traction, it underscores a broader cultural clash: the line between inspiration and exploitation in an era of viral propaganda. Will the White House comply, or double down? The internet watches closely.