Order a Diet Coke, or bomb Iran? Satirical video game pops up at DC War Memorial

May 14, 2026 - 09:00

The satirical game popped up at the memorial with no warning, drawing curious tourists and locals alike. Players step up to a custom-built arcade cabinet, complete with a joystick and buttons. The screen shows a cartoonish version of the White House Situation Room. A timer ticks down as a character resembling a military advisor asks the player to make a decision. Choose the Diet Coke, and the game rewards you with a cheerful jingle. Choose to bomb Iran, and the screen fills with grim imagery and a somber message about the consequences of war.

Secret Handshake has not claimed responsibility publicly, but the group's signature style is unmistakable. Their previous stunts have mocked political figures and institutions, often appearing overnight on federal land. The National Park Service, which oversees the War Memorial, said it is reviewing the installation. No arrests have been made, and the game remains in place for now, offering a darkly comic pause for reflection in a city built on power and policy.