As the war with Iran enters its second week, the White House is employing an unusual online propaganda strategy. Rather than attempting to sway public opinion broadly, the administration appears to be targeting a specific demographic: young, right-leaning American men active online.
A Niche Appeal
The White House and affiliated officials have been sharing a series of highly-edited videos on X, featuring combat footage from the strikes on Iran intermixed with clips from action movies and video games. These videos, characterized by rapid editing and the use of rap and EDM soundtracks, seem designed to appeal to the tastes of Gen Z males. However, it remains unclear if this audience appreciates the administration’s approach.
One video, released on Thursday and captioned “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY,” combines footage from Braveheart, Gladiator, and Iron Man with footage of US ordnance striking Iranian targets. Another, titled “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue,” opens with a scene mimicking a call-in air strike from the video game Call of Duty, displaying video-game style scoring as US bombs hit Iranian facilities. A third video incorporates footage from Grand Theft Auto alongside periscope footage of a US torpedo destroying an Iranian warship, with the screen displaying the word “WASTED.”
A Familiar Aesthetic
The White House appears to recognize the popularity of similar, low-budget videos within online right-wing communities. These videos often embrace a retro-futurist aesthetic, evoking nostalgia for the 1980s and 1990s whereas promoting a vision of a prosperous and confident America.
The strategy comes as public approval of President Trump’s handling of the war remains low, with only 36% of Americans expressing approval according to a recent survey. The administration’s messaging has also been described as confusing and tautological.
Backlash from the Base
Despite the targeted approach, the videos have faced criticism, even from within the President’s base. On X, commenters have mocked the videos’ aesthetics, questioned the US role in the conflict, and accused the administration of betraying the “America First” promise. Some commenters referred to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as “GI Joke” and suggested the war be dubbed “Operation Epstein Distraction.” A former Heritage Foundation staffer described the videos as “stupid,” stating a preference for domestic policy priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the White House doing to promote the war in Iran?
The White House is sharing a series of hype videos on X that combine combat footage with clips from action movies and video games.
Who is the intended audience for these videos?
The videos seem designed to appeal to young, right-leaning American men who are active online.
Has the propaganda campaign been well-received?
So far, the response from the intended audience has been largely negative, with commenters criticizing the videos and questioning the administration’s motives.
Given the mixed reception to the current propaganda efforts, what impact will this strategy have on sustaining support for the conflict moving forward?
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