Jack White, Rosie O’Donnell and Carrie Coon are among the celebrities who have spoken out after US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes and announced Khamenei's death, describing the operation as 'major combat operations.'
White, former frontman of The White Stripes, criticised Trump on Instagram for the manner of the announcement, writing: 'Don’t you love seeing him declare war on a country while wearing a trucker hat that says “USA” on it?' He added sarcastic remarks about Trump’s self-styled 'Board of Peace' and noted that Trump’s sons would not have to fight.
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell juxtaposed Trump’s campaign promises of peace with his decision to strike, posting on social media: 'He lies only and always #impeachtrump.' Her post featured two quotes from Trump’s 2024 campaign, one stating 'I am peace' and the other 'I’m not going to start a war, I’m going to stop wars.'
Carrie Coon, star of The White Lotus, tweeted: '“Department of War.” They weren’t kidding about that.' Horror author Stephen King pointed out constitutional constraints, writing on X: 'Under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war... Impeach the SOB.'
Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, called Khamenei 'one of the most evil people in History' and claimed it was 'the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.' A senior Israeli government source told The Independent that Khamenei was killed in a strike that flattened his compound.
