TL;DR
A public arcade game at the District of Columbia War Memorial satirizes President Trump’s approach to Iran. It offers players a choice between ordering a Diet Coke or invading Iran, reflecting protest art against war promotion. The White House has not responded.
Three functional arcade games satirizing President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict have been installed at the District of Columbia War Memorial, offering visitors a humorous yet critical commentary on U.S. military escalation.
The games, created by the anonymous activist group Secret Handshake, parody the administration’s war efforts through a 1980s-style arcade format. One game, titled “Operation Epic Furious: Strait To Hell,” allows users to decide whether Trump should ‘order a Diet Coke’ or ‘invade Iran,’ with the choice influencing gameplay interactions.
The arcade setup includes caricatures of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, who make humorous remarks about military readiness and travel to war zones. The installation is located just south of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and is expected to remain for several days, according to the group.
Why It Matters
This installation highlights ongoing concerns about the militarization and promotion of war through digital media and propaganda. It also underscores criticism of the White House’s use of memes and video clips to depict military actions, which critics argue trivializes serious conflicts and risks normalizing violence.
The absence of an immediate response from the White House suggests a deliberate silence or possible disapproval, but the protest art’s visibility underscores public skepticism about the administration’s approach to foreign policy.
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Background
Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict on February 28, 2026, the White House has actively used multimedia, including memes and video game clips, to promote its military efforts. Critics, including Secret Handshake, have argued that this approach reduces complex military actions to entertainment, potentially desensitizing the public to war’s realities.
The installation at the War Memorial is part of a broader wave of protest art and commentary aimed at questioning government narratives and military escalation, following a series of controversial media campaigns by the administration.
“Introducing Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell, a high-octane, flag-waving, boots-on-the-ground simulator where freedom isn’t debated, it’s deployed.”
— Secret Handshake
“The White House knows that the best way to sell combat is by making it a video game, that’s why they’ve been pumping out the ‘sickest’ Iran War video game hype reels.”
— Secret Handshake
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear whether the White House will respond publicly or remove the arcade games. The long-term impact of the installation and whether it will influence public opinion or policy remains uncertain.
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What’s Next
The arcade games are expected to stay at the memorial for the next few days. Further commentary or action from authorities or the White House is not yet known, and the group plans to monitor reactions and potential responses.
interactive protest art installation
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Key Questions
Who created the arcade game at the War Memorial?
The game was created by Secret Handshake, an anonymous activist group known for protest art and satire targeting political issues.
Why is the game installed at the War Memorial?
The installation serves as a form of protest art criticizing the U.S. government’s handling of the Iran conflict and its promotion of war through multimedia.
Has the White House commented on the arcade game?
The White House has not issued an official response as of now.
What options does the game give players regarding Trump’s actions?
Players can choose to have Trump ‘order a Diet Coke’ or ‘invade Iran,’ which influences the game’s caricature interactions and satire.
Will the arcade games remain at the memorial?
Yes, the group states the games will stay for several days, but their future beyond that is unclear.
