On their trip to Iran, Shane Smith and Andrew Callaghan sat down with the anonymous creators behind Explosive Media, whose AI-generated Lego war videos became one of the most viewed and controversial media phenomena of the recent conflict. Operating with a team of fewer than ten people, the group amassed hundreds of millions of views on their videos that depict things like Iranians in body bags labeled “United Slaves of Israel,” President Trump replacing the American flag on the U.S. Capitol with an Israeli flag, and a Viking commanding a ship with an Iranian flag. Their work has ignited a debate over propaganda, artificial intelligence, meme culture, and the future of information warfare.
In this rare interview, the creators explain why they chose Lego animations to depict war, how they built their audience with limited resources, and why they believe modern conflicts are increasingly fought through algorithms, social platforms, and digital influence campaigns.
The conversation ranges from AI-generated content and online propaganda to the ideas of French philosopher Jean Baudrillard, President Trump’s social media strategy, and the future of political storytelling in an era when billions of people experience world events through their phones.
The group also addresses questions about its relationship with the Iranian government, whether its work should be considered propaganda, and why its members describe themselves as “guerrilla soldiers in the propaganda war.”
Andrew Callaghan:
For the people unaware, how would you describe what it is that you do
Mr. Explosive (of the Lego Resistance Front):
We view our work as a sort of civic duty. When you go out in the streets these days and talk to people, you get the sense that everyone wishes they could do more for their country.
A shopkeeper might say, “I wish I could be helping the Red Crescent” or helping with military defense. So we also decided to help our country, using the skills that we already have.
Andrew:
So in your opinion, what is the piece of animation that you’re most proud of so far?
Mr. Explosive:
What we are most proud of is raising the world’s awareness. The world, especially the west, has been under the influence of propaganda for years. For us it is always the reactions from viewers who say we are teaching and showing them a history that their own media doesn’t show them. Or when they say our work has helped to change their opinions on Iran, the war, or politicians. That is what we are most proud of.
Shane Smith:
You use Legos because violence pushes audiences away. But young people are seeing your lego cartoons and saying, “Hey, that’s the real news, instead of what they see on TV.”
Mr. Explosive:
Yes, that’s correct. And the reason is that as humans, our nature is to seek out the truth. So despite being influenced by years of propaganda, as soon as people are exposed to the truth it is easily understood and recognized.
Shane:
Do you think that the internet has turned geopolitics into fandom culture?
Mr. Explosive:
Yes in my opinion it has helped by removing obstacles intended to suppress the truth.
Andrew:
Some people would say online that what you guys are doing is kind of like government propaganda dressed up as internet culture. How do you respond to that criticism?
Mr. Explosive:
We are completely independent. We come up with our own ideas, and we decide what to create by ourselves. And if we decide to defend our country, it is not because the government or anyone else told us to do so. This is our independent and self-motivated form of supporting our country.
Shane:
You also said the Iranian government is one of your customers. Is that true?
Mr. Explosive:
After we release a video, there are many international media organizations that will pay to license our work for broadcast. Some of those may include government media. That is not strange. They are high quality videos that appeal to many different media organizations.
Andrew:
Thinking about Trump and how the Trump Administration- since the most recent electoral victory-has used AI generated videos all the time. If you saw the video of the Gaza Strip, the Gaza hotel- with Elon Musk throwing a bunch of money in the air. It was supposed to be a country club built atop the rubble. Is this a semi tongue in cheek reaction to counter that narrative by using AI?
Mr. Explosive:
Yes, I think they can be compared and the comparison shows a lot. I think [Trump’s posts] demonstrate both the lack of communication ability, since they are such low quality, and also how illogical he is. For example, how will they bring prosperity to a place which they have destroyed? It shows that blood-drenched hands are incapable of creating ideas that will inspire people. It shows that these stone-hearted people are incapable of humor or fascinating ideas.
Later in the interview, Shane asked Mr. Explosive of the Lego Resistance Front what scares him about AI-generated political media.
Mr. Explosive:
I am worried that [AI] will be used to spread vulgarity and immorality. The same way that TV and film can be used as tools to spread awareness to promote vulgarity and corruption in politics and life.
Andrew:
Do you know how many people have seen your content?
Mr. Explosive:
I think as of two or three weeks ago, we have had about 900 million viewers.
Andrew:
What was the most popular video you’ve ever posted?
Mr. Explosive:
I think that ‘Loser’ was our most liked video. It was our first video to feature rap. That started the ‘Lego Resistant Front’ movement.
Shane:
Nearly a billion people have watched your videos. Obviously you’ve struck a chord. In 1, 2, 3 years- where do you think this AI consumer led content is going?
Mr. Explosive:
The future is very unclear, and AI continues to rapidly develop. We also need to continue moving forward and making progress, not stopping. We know that the enemies of humanity and truth will always be busy with new efforts. So we can only continue with our efforts as guerrilla soldiers in the propaganda war.
Andrew finished by asking Mr. Explosive whether he believed the phone was mightier than the sword.
Mr. Explosive:
There is a verse in the Quran that says ‘A small group can be victorious over the larger group through the will of God.’
As AI tools become more powerful and media becomes increasingly decentralized, this conversation offers a glimpse into what the future of information warfare may look like.
