Trump's Terms Is Iran trolling Trump?
Mar 26, 2026
Carrie Kahn, NPR correspondent reporting from the field, breaks down Iran's online propaganda targeting Donald Trump. She describes AI videos and meme campaigns, animated mockery like Teletubby and Lego scenes, and how English-language trolling borrows Trump’s own rhetoric. Reports also trace the blend of real-world violence and viral attention-grabbing tactics.
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Iran Uses Memes As Modern Warfront
- Iran has turned memes and AI-generated videos into an active front in its war messaging.
- State media and the IRGC produce Lego- and Teletubbies-style clips mocking Trump and allies to reach global, especially American, audiences.
Propaganda Targeted Directly At Americans
- Iran tailors English-language propaganda aimed directly at Americans using Trump's own phrases and cultural references.
- The IRGC spokesman repeats Trump's lines like "You are fired" and invokes Epstein island to taunt the president.
Trump's Language Became A Diplomatic Tool
- Trump's rhetoric created a cultural language that foreign actors now use to communicate with him.
- Whitney Phillips notes world leaders adopt Trump's style, making trolling an effective diplomatic provocation.