YouTube has suspended the pro-Iranian channel, Explosive Media that posted Lego-style videos of the United States (US) President Donald Trump.
Explosive Media, a collective of pro-Tehran creators that operates independently, has gained popularity online during the US-Iran conflict for its animated videos that have reached millions of views.
“We have terminated the channel due to violations of our spam, deceptive practices, and scams policies,” a YouTube representative stated.
The suspension by YouTube seemed to have a minimal effect on the pro-Iranian channel, as its videos of Trump remained widely circulated by content creators on the platform.
What do the videos show?
The satirical videos, which draw from American popular culture, depicted Trump with an exaggerated yellow head and characterised him as an elderly, isolated individual prone to childish outbursts, seemingly out of touch with reality.
According to US media reports, Meta-owned Instagram also removed the group’s account, yet another account under the same name remained active as of Wednesday.
In recent weeks, viral meme videos have illustrated fictional Iranian military triumphs, world leaders in weak positions reliant on Iranian leaders for oil and even the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz reimagined as a whimsical toll booth.
The English-language content produced by Explosive Media seems to target audiences beyond Iran, where platforms like X have been inaccessible for years and can only be reached through VPNs.
In response to YouTube’s actions, Explosive Media expressed its frustration on X: “Seriously! Are our LEGO-style animations truly violent?”
Read more: YouTube increases premium subscription fees
