White House Uses “Enter Sandman” in New Iran War Hype Video After Metallica Previously Denied Song’s Use

The White House has posted a video hyping the United States’ bombing of Iran soundtracked to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” However, the metal band previously shut down the song’s use this past summer in different video also starring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The new clip has Hegseth touting the slaying of the leader of an Iranian unit that apparently tried to assassinate Donald Trump. He says, “Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh.”

Get Metallica Tickets Here

Throughout the clip, which also shows footage of the US bombing Iran, “Enter Sandman” provides the soundtrack. It ends with Trump saying, “I was the hunted, and now I’m the hunter.”

Last July, Hegseth posted a video celebrating the US military’s “drone dominance,” also set to “Enter Sandman.” The band quickly hit Hegseth with a copyright notice, and the video was taken down and re-uploaded with no music.

As of this posting, the new video posted by the White House is still active on its X/Twitter account, as seen below.

Meanwhile, Metallica recently announced a 2026-2027 residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Pre-sales for the 14-show run, dubbed “Life Burns Faster,” are underway, with a general on-sale starting on Friday, March 6th (pick up tickets here).

“I WAS THE HUNTED, AND NOW I’M THE HUNTER.” pic.twitter.com/PiIMDTVAbi

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 5, 2026