Iran war video games placed at DC War Memorial by Secret Handshake

May 12, 2026 - 02:06

The satirical arts and activism collective Secret Handshake, known for its provocative Trump-Epstein statues, has installed a series of video game consoles at the District of Columbia War Memorial. The group's new project, a game titled "Operation Epic Furious," is designed to critique the ongoing tensions and military posture between the United States and Iran.

Members of the group placed the consoles on the memorial's steps early Tuesday morning. Each unit runs a single, custom-built game that simulates a fictional but pointedly realistic conflict in the Middle East. The game reportedly allows players to navigate drone strikes, civilian casualties, and diplomatic failures, all rendered in a deliberately crude, arcade-style format.

A spokesperson for Secret Handshake stated the installation is meant to force a conversation about the human cost of modern warfare, particularly the use of technology to distance decision-makers from battlefield realities. The group chose the War Memorial, which honors local veterans, as a site to highlight what they see as a disconnect between patriotic symbolism and the actual consequences of military intervention.

Park police arrived on the scene within hours and removed the consoles. No arrests were made, but the group has posted a digital version of the game online. The installation has drawn mixed reactions, with some veterans calling it disrespectful and others praising it as a necessary form of protest art.