A video posted on the official White House account sparked a wave of criticism on social media. The post mixes footage from the Call of Duty game with real footage of military strikes related to the US-Iran war.
This publication comes in a particularly sensitive context. US President Donald Trump launched an offensive against Iran on February 28 in coordination with Israel, a decision that is already fueling international controversy.
A video mixing Call of Duty and real strikes
The video published on the social network X begins with images reminiscent of a first-person video game scene. It shows what looks like a player requesting the release of “mass guided bombs” from a keyboard. The montage then continues with very real images showing a fighter plane taking off, then missiles being launched and hitting their targets.
The post was accompanied by a clear caption: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” The editing style is strongly reminiscent of the world of modern shooters, notably Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
The White House accused of trivializing the war
The publication quickly sparked critical reactions on social media. Some Internet users felt that the editing gave the impression that the war was presented as an experience comparable to a video game. A user reacted directly under the publication: “What the hell is wrong with you? The Americans don’t want to see you treat war like Call of Duty. Who the hell runs this account?” Another comment is concerned about the image sent by the publication: “It’s really terrifying that it’s our government.”
A wave of criticism on social networks
Many similar reactions emerged after the video was released. Some Internet users wonder why an official institution would publish content inspired by a video game to illustrate a real war.
One wrote: “Why is the government releasing a live video montage of Call of Duty?” Other messages evoke the seriousness of the current military context. A particularly divided reaction underlines: “Treating this war like a video game just days after an American strike which probably killed more than 100 schoolgirls shows a particular insensitivity.”
Criticisms of the way the conflict is represented
Several personalities and Internet users have also expressed their discomfort with this type of communication. Podcaster Connor Crehan wrote: “War is not a video game. The consequences of war are irreversible. I regret that we treat it so casually.” Other reactions go even further in criticism.
A widely reported comment states: “The White House takes killing people for a video game. The White House takes sending American soldiers into combat for a video game. This is madness and a country that aspires to remain so cannot tolerate this.” Another Internet user sums up the anger of part of the public: “American soldiers are dying in war and the White House behaves as if it were a video game. That’s the height of it.”