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‘War Is Not a Movie’: Ben Stiller Claps Back at White House Propaganda Video

Ben Stiller has sounded off about a White House propaganda video about the war against Iran using a clip from ‘Tropic Thunder’

Ben Stiller

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Ben Stiller voiced his anger at the White House‘s use of a clip from Tropic Thunder to support its war initiative on Friday. “Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip,” he wrote on social media. “We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie.”

The White House’s X account on Thursday published a montage of scenes from movies and TV shows including Tropic Thunder, Braveheart, Top Gun: Maverick, and Better Call Saul, among others, with the caption, “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY,” followed by U.S. flag and fire emojis. The clip ends with the voiceover from Mortal Kombat saying, “Flawless victory.” The final title card simply says, “The White House: President Donald J. Trump.” The clip from Tropic Thunder showed Tom Cruise as movie exec Les Grossman dancing.

Stiller directed, starred in, and co-wrote the screenplay for Tropic Thunder, which came out in 2008. The comedy, a box office success that features Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. starring alongside Stiller, followed a group of hapless actors thinking they’re in a war movie actually unwittingly becoming soldiers. Downey was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role category.

The White House shared the supercut as the United States and Israel continue to bombard Iran in an offensive that has already resulted in the death of several American service members. The campaign has no end in sight, and President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have warned Americans that more are likely to die. The administration hasn’t been able to clearly articulate the objectives for the war which. The primary aim at this point, as the video indicates, seems to be to inflict as much devastation as possible and then gloat about it.

From Rolling Stone US

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In This Article: Ben Stiller, White House