Here’s what happened.
The White House is facing fresh criticism from Hollywood after a newly released video posted by the Trump administration sparked outrage among several entertainment figures.
Actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller publicly objected Friday after a clip from his 2008 satirical action film Tropic Thunder appeared in a montage shared on the social media platform X by the Trump White House.
The video, captioned “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY,” featured scenes from multiple movies and was posted shortly after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran earlier this week.
The post quickly gained attention online — but it also triggered strong criticism from Stiller.
Ben Stiller Demands Clip Be Removed
Stiller took to social media Friday demanding that the White House remove the footage from the video, arguing the film’s material was used without permission.
“Hey White House, please take down the Tropic Thunder clip,” Stiller said in a message posted on X.
“We never authorized the use of that clip, and we don’t want to be associated with political messaging. Armed conflict is not entertainment.”
The actor’s comments quickly spread across social media, adding to an ongoing culture clash between Hollywood figures and the Trump administration.
Long History Of Criticism Toward Trump
Stiller has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and his policies for years.
During the 2024 presidential race, the actor appeared in campaign advertisements supporting former Vice President Kamala Harris and also reportedly made financial contributions to her campaign.
He also signed a public letter backing late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel after controversy erupted over remarks Kimmel made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Stiller’s latest criticism is just the newest example of the growing political divide between many figures in Hollywood and the Trump administration.
Other Celebrities Also Push Back
Stiller is not the only entertainer who has criticized the White House this week.
Pop singer Kesha also spoke out after the administration used her song “Blow” in a social media video tied to recent military strikes.
In a post on Instagram, Kesha said she strongly opposed the use of her music in connection with videos referencing war.
“Trying to make light of war is disgusting and inhumane,” the singer wrote.
Her comments quickly drew attention online and added to the growing criticism from the entertainment world.
White House Fires Back At Critics
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration showed little sign of backing down.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded directly to the complaints from entertainers.
“All these ‘singers’ keep falling for this,” Cheung wrote on X.
He suggested the criticism only helps amplify the administration’s messaging by driving more people to watch the videos.
“This just gives us more attention and more view counts because people want to see what they’re talking about,” Cheung added.
Another Dispute Over Music Use
The Trump administration has faced similar criticism before.
In December, pop star Sabrina Carpenter complained after her song “Juno” appeared in a video promoting operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Carpenter called the video “disgusting” and demanded her music not be used in future posts.
Following the backlash, the White House removed the video — but later posted an edited clip referencing the singer from the comedy program Saturday Night Live.
A Growing Culture War Between Washington And Hollywood
The latest controversy highlights a broader political and cultural divide that has been intensifying in recent years.
While many Hollywood figures continue to criticize the Trump administration, supporters of the president often argue the reactions reflect the entertainment industry’s longstanding political bias.
Regardless of which side Americans take, one thing is certain — the clash between Washington and Hollywood shows no signs of slowing down.
And with social media continuing to amplify every controversy, moments like this are likely to remain part of the political conversation for months to come.
