Ben Stiller has publicly requested that the White House take down a clip from his film Tropic Thunder, which was included in a recent pop culture video montage honoring war. The actor emphasized that his work should not be part of such messaging, expressing clear disapproval of the usage.
Stiller addressed the issue directly on X, stating,
“Hey White House, please remove the ‘Tropic Thunder’ clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine, War is not a movie.”
This message highlights his objection to the film being framed within a serious political narrative.
The White House had released the video on Thursday with the caption JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY. Alongside Tropic Thunder, the montage featured scenes from well-known titles like Braveheart, Transformers, Halo, Iron Man, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, as well as footage including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The video aimed to connect popular culture moments with themes of war and justice, provoking Stiller’s firm response.
This clash draws attention to how entertainment media can be appropriated within political contexts, raising questions about permissions and the intentions behind such depictions. Stiller’s insistence on removal signals the importance of respecting creators’ control over how their work is presented. The White House’s response to this demand remains pending, but the incident underscores tension between artistic expression and political communication.
Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie. https://t.co/dMQqRxxVCa
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 6, 2026
