Ben Stiller has become the latest celebrity to voice his concerns over the use of entertainment clips by an official White House account. The actor’s strong remarks came after a video featuring a compilation of iconic films, including his 2008 satirical war movie *Tropic Thunder*, was shared on social media along with footage of U.S. military operations.
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The video, which appeared on the Trump administration’s social media channels, included several other popular movies and television series like *Top Gun*, *Superman*, and *Transformers*. Accompanied by the caption “Justice the American way”, the montage sparked immediate backlash from many in the entertainment industry, Stiller included.
In response to the White House’s utilisation of his film, Stiller posted a statement on the platform X, urging the administration to remove the clip. “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,” the 60-year-old actor expressed.
Stiller’s comments resonate with a developing pattern as a number of other celebrities have expressed their displeasure regarding the White House’s use of their content in political contexts. Among those speaking out recently are renowned figures such as Céline Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, and Radiohead.
Another notable instance occurred when pop star Kesha publicly condemned the use of her song “Blow” in a video that displayed a fighter jet launching a missile at a naval vessel. “It’s come to my attention that The White House has used one of my songs on TikTok to incite violence and threaten war,” Kesha stated in a post on Instagram Stories. The singer emphasised that she does not condone the use of her music to promote any form of violence, stating that it is “disgusting and inhumane.”
Following Kesha’s outcry, Steven Cheung, the White House Director of Communications, appeared to downplay the issue. He reposted her comments on X, suggesting that the attention generated by such complaints only serves to increase view counts on their videos, prompting some to question the White House’s intent.
The trend extends beyond Kesha and Stiller. In another instance, the Trump administration faced backlash over a video that featured immigration officers making arrests, set against the background of Sabrina Carpenter’s song, “Juno”. Carpenter’s strongly worded response labelled the video “evil and disgusting” and rejected any affiliation with the administration’s agenda. After her remarks gained traction online, the White House promptly removed the video from its Twitter account, although it remained on TikTok.
This growing discontent among artists regarding the appropriation of their work reflects broader concerns about the relationship between entertainment and politics. Many entertainers perceive the administration’s actions as an exploitative use of their creative expressions, distorting the context and meaning of their art.
As a growing number of creative professionals speak out against these practices, questions arise regarding the lines between artistic expression and political messaging. The ongoing discourse continues to spotlight the responsibilities that come with the use of media in political contexts and the implications for artists whose works are used without consent.
The impact of such incidents may linger as artists reconsider how they engage with political entities and discuss their works in the public sphere. In a climate where every post or video clip can spark viral reactions, the intersection of culture and politics is becoming increasingly complex, prompting deeper reflections across the board from filmmakers, musicians, and the audiences that enjoy their work.