The US government is facing backlash after posting meme-style TikTok videos of missile attacks against Iran.The videos drew criticism on social media, though others praised the editing. One video about the ongoing war used the song Blow by Kesha as the backing track.She responded on Monday, calling President Donald Trump a “criminal predator,” and saying the post showed a “blatant disregard for human life.” The audio has since been removed from the video.
Another post used a killstreak animation from the video game Call of Duty.
Chance Glasco, the founding developer of the franchise, said on X that it didn’t surprise him, revealing that the team had previously faced pressure to make a COD game centred on Iran attacking Israel.
He said: “This doesn’t surprise me. I remember after Activision took over post-Respawn formation there was a very awkward pressure from Activision for us to make the next CoD about Iran attacking Israel.
“Luckily the vast majority of our devs were disgusted by the idea and it got shot down.”
The posts are receiving criticism as the ongoing military strikes carried out by Israel and the US have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,230 people in Iran.
Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty International UK’s Crisis Response Manager, said: “Some governments, particularly the US and Israel, are deliberately glamorising their military attacks in Iran through crass, attention-seeking content in what is an unmistakeable strategy of desensitisation to violence and dehumanisation of the victims.
“It is as dangerous as it is contemptible.”
And this is not the first time the White House has used meme culture for controversial content.
Last year, they faced similar backlash after posting a video appearing to celebrate ICE deportation operations, set to the Jet2 holiday viral TikTok sound.Singer Jess Glynne, whose song is featured in the ad, responded, saying the video “honestly makes her sick”.
While the White House has not appeared to comment on this specific clip, it has previously responded to wider criticisms of its social media strategy, which includes the use of AI generated images, trolling and memes.
“Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can’t post banger memes,” it wrote on its X account in July.
More recently, the Pokémon Company responded to a post by the official White House account posted on Thursday, which shows an aerial view of one of the franchise’s Nintendo Switch games with the message: “Make America Great Again.”
In a statement to the New York Times, a company spokeswoman said: “We are aware of recent social content that includes imagery associated with our brand.
“We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property. Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda.”
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Speaking to ITV News’ North American partner in August, Trump loyalist and X Strategies CEO Alex Bruesewitz explained what he thought the White House is hoping to achieve with its meme and internet culture-based strategy.
“He changed the game in how you communicate as president. And he’s more transparent, he’s more direct,” Bruesewitz said.
“His communication style is also more in touch with the rest of the country. He doesn’t sit there behind a podium and pander and just read a script.
“He never fails to let the American people know what he’s thinking, exactly how he’s thinking. And he has such a unique communication style, and I think the White House complements it well.”
However, another source familiar with Trump’s first-term operation said the strategy is not without its limitations.
“I think the current strategy is effective in the sense of quick engagement, but the moment dies fast because it’s reactionary to what the current trend is,” they said.
“My concern is not properly highlighting the policy wins because the feed is bogged down with too many less-serious posts.”
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