The US and Israel have carried out strikes on Tehran and other locations across Iran, with US President Donald Trump describing the action as a “major military operation”. The attacks come at a time when discussions were ongoing regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, adding further tension to an already fragile diplomatic situation.
As news of the strikes spread, several Hollywood figures voiced strong reactions, many criticising President Trump’s decision.
Musician Jack White took to social media to condemn what he described as a declaration of war. He argued that when a president announces military action, both the method and the language used carry enormous weight. White also appeared to aim for Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative, an international plan aimed at promoting peace in Gaza, questioning the contrast between peace rhetoric and military escalation.
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell also criticised the president online, accusing him of repeatedly misleading the public. She pointed out that Trump’s previous campaign speeches had emphasised peace-building and non-intervention, suggesting that the latest military action contradicts those earlier pledges.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, a long-time critic of the Trump administration, expressed concern over what he described as a failure of diplomacy. In his post, Ruffalo argued that insufficient effort had been made to prevent conflict and suggested that certain policies and individuals were actively steering the country towards war.
Meanwhile, actor John Cusack wrote that launching military action could serve as a distraction from domestic challenges facing the administration. Actress Carrie Coon also weighed in, satirising the government’s military leadership by referring to it as the “Department of War”.
Author Stephen King tweeted, “Under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war.
Popular British Journalist Mehdi Hasan tweeted, “They lied and said Iran had nukes or were close to having nukes. And of course Iran didn’t which is why the US and Israel were able to bomb Iran so easily today. You know who does have nukes? North Korea. And the US will never dare attack Kim. This is a recipe for more nukes.”
