Trump Haters Cheer Deaths of U.S. Servicemen at Philadelphia “Hands Off Iran” Protest in Disgusting Display
The incident, filmed by Philadelphia-based conservative activist Frankie Scales, shows the speaker declaring to loud applause: “For every U.S. military base that crumbles and for every U.S. soldier who returns home in a casket, we cheer.”
Tommy Flynn
PHILADELPHIA – Video footage from a “Hands Off Iran” protest in Philadelphia captured a masked speaker and cheering crowd explicitly celebrating the deaths of American troops killed in the ongoing conflict with Iran, drawing widespread condemnation as a grotesque display of anti-American hatred.
The incident, filmed by Philadelphia-based conservative activist Frankie Scales, shows the speaker declaring to loud applause: “For every U.S. military base that crumbles and for every U.S. soldier who returns home in a casket, we cheer.” The speaker went on to praise Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed terrorist groups, stating they “spend every waking moment in direct confrontation with Zionism, and they rely on a strong Iranian state to maintain their fighting capacity.” When challenged, the speaker responded: “May a Hamas rocket blow up your family’s home.”
The video, which went viral on Thursday, March 27, 2026, was posted on Instagram by @surgephilly and quickly spread across conservative media platforms. It comes as at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on February 28, 2026.
The protest featured signs attacking Israel, President Donald Trump, and even Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, highlighting the radical fringe element within anti-war demonstrations that has drawn increasing scrutiny.
Fetterman, who has been a vocal supporter of strong action against Iran, posted the video on X and denounced the rhetoric as “Truly appalling… chanting for the death of our servicemembers. Where’s the Dem outrage and condemnation?” He later emphasized that such speech is “indefensible” and said he would not pretend otherwise.
The lack of widespread Democratic condemnation drew further criticism. While thousands of conservatives and independents reacted with outrage online, major Democratic leaders and party figures have remained largely silent on the specific video.
The episode underscores deep divisions over U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. President Trump has maintained that the operations are necessary to counter Iranian aggression and protect American interests, while critics on the far left have framed the conflict as unjustified imperialism.
No arrests or official responses from Philadelphia authorities have been reported regarding the protest statements. The video continues to circulate widely as an example of what many view as unpatriotic extremism that celebrates American casualties for political ends.