Activists install arcade game mocking Trump on National Mall, playable in browser

At a glance:

• Activists have installed arcade cabinets of a satirical game mocking Trump's Iran war policy on the National Mall.
• The game, "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell," lets players act as Donald Trump and encounter figures like the Pope and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
• It is playable in person at the District of Columbia War Memorial and online via browser.

The Installation on the National Mall

Activists from a group called The Secret Handshake have placed three arcade machines featuring the game "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" outside the District of Columbia War Memorial. According to Wired, the cabinets will remain for the next few days for public play. Each machine is accompanied by a plaque that reads: "The Trump administration 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. But why stop at clips when you could go full throttle? 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. No briefings, no hesitation; just pure pixelated patriotism. Strap in and play hard, because this game may never end."

Inside the Game: A Satirical Shooter

"Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" is a farcical video game that casts players as former President Donald Trump. The game opens with a stark choice: order a Diet Coke or invade Iran. As Trump, players navigate a world populated by characters from the so-called Trump Extended Universe, including Melania Trump—though asking to hold her hand triggers an immediate "Game Over" screen. Other figures include the Pope and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, leading to absurd confrontations. Despite moments that may feel cringey, the game offers some genuinely funny beats and surprising narrative depth, turning the serious issue of war into a pixelated parody.

Political Backdrop: Trivializing Conflict

The activists behind the game cite the Trump administration's habit of sharing video from its ongoing conflict with Iran by splicing real footage of missiles and explosions—such as the attack that killed 168 people, including more than 100 children, at a school—with clips from popular video games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. This blending of real-world violence with gaming imagery, they argue, serves to trivialize the ongoing damage and death caused by America's unprovoked attacks on Iran. By creating an actual video game, the activists aim to highlight and satirize this desensitization.

The Activists Behind the Stunt

The Secret Handshake, the collective responsible for this installation, has a history of provocative political art. Previously, they placed a gold statue of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein in the Jack and Rose pose from Titanic on the National Mall. While such stunts may not change the world, they describe them as "pretty decent bits" designed to provoke thought and critique. The group's work often uses humor and absurdity to comment on current events and political figures.

Broader Implications and Reactions

Stunts like "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" fit into a broader tradition of using art and satire to challenge political narratives. By transforming war propaganda into a playable game, the activists force a confrontation with how conflict is marketed to the public. The installation invites passersby to engage directly with the critique, whether by playing the game or reflecting on its message. As the arcade cabinets sit on the National Mall, they serve as a temporary but poignant reminder of the human cost of war, wrapped in the guise of entertainment.