"Operation Epic Furious Strait to Hell" Game Installed at DC War Memorial
A new arcade game titled “Operation Epic Furious Strait to Hell” has been installed at the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The game, which features a ginger-haired Donald Trump, satirizes the U.S. administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and Trump’s often controversial social media presence.
The game begins with a humorous dig at the U.S. President, displaying the text: “Another big beautiful day as the best President ever…” against the backdrop of the White House. The first player decision is whether to order a Diet Coke or invade Iran. The recurring element of the game includes the option to “burn an Epstein file,” a nod to Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. As a satirical experience, the game is designed to be impossible to win, further highlighting the absurdity of the Middle East conflict. The only way to lose is by attempting to hold Melania Trump’s hand, a mocking reference to their relationship.
Characters and Mockery
The game’s storyline features various figures, including a centaur version of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and includes characters such as Pete Hegseth (U.S. Secretary of War), Melania Trump, Kash Patel (FBI director), and JD Vance. In one scene, Hegseth cheers Trump on in his “war efforts,” while Vance compliments Trump’s masculinity. Putin, humorously referred to as “Little Donald,” serves as another antagonist.
A key moment in the game involves engaging in tweet battles with Iranian schoolgirls, while Trump’s main enemies are depicted as the Pope, DEI, and low-flow showerheads. The Pope, in particular, is portrayed as a "Weak on Crime Pope," mocking Trump’s past criticism of the Vatican’s position on global crime and foreign policy.
Political Satire and Criticism of War
The installation, created by the anonymous art group Secret Handshake, is a response to the White House’s social media rhetoric about the Iran strikes. According to a plaque beside the game, it critiques the use of video game clips, such as those from Call of Duty, which many argue trivialize the horrors of war. Instead of simply showing clips, Operation Epic Furious takes things further with a full-blown, interactive satirical video game.
The Secret Handshake group has gained recognition for its politically charged public displays, often aimed at President Trump. Previous installations have included a statue depicting Trump and Epstein as “Best Friends Forever” and a golden toilet called "A Throne Fit for a King," a direct critique of Trump’s remodeling of the White House amidst ongoing international conflicts.
A Response to Trivializing War
The Operation Epic Furious game calls attention to the trivialization of war in media and entertainment. By making light of such serious geopolitical issues, including the U.S.-Iran conflict, the game aims to spark conversations about how these issues are portrayed in the public eye, especially through the lens of video games.
The game, available for free at the memorial for a limited time and playable online at epicfurious.com, represents a strong statement on the growing intersection of politics, art, and entertainment. Through humor and exaggeration, the installation critiques the ways in which political leaders, media, and global conflicts are handled in modern discourse.
