The White House has sparked significant controversy after its official X (formerly Twitter) account published a video that controversially combined clips from popular films, TV series, video games, and anime with actual footage of joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory in late February. This integration of pop culture icons with military action drew widespread criticism from both the general public and prominent figures within the cultural industry.
Among the first to react was Steve Downes, the acclaimed voice actor behind Master Chief from the iconic Halo game series. Downes unequivocally stated that his voice was used without his permission and expressed profound dissatisfaction with its deployment in what he described as political propaganda.
“It has come to my attention that at least one propaganda video, created or at least endorsed by the White House, is circulating using images of Master Chief and my voice to support the war in Iran,” Downes stated.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I was not involved in the creation of this video, I was not consulted, and I do not endorse the use of my voice in this video, nor the message it conveys. I demand that the creators of this disgusting and infantile war pornography immediately remove my voice.”