Starship Troopers director says Space Force uniforms are Nazi-inspired

Director Paul Verhoeven has stated that the U.S. Space Force uniforms proposed by President Donald Trump are based on Nazi-inspired imagery from his 1997 film "Starship Troopers." Verhoeven's comments came after Trump posted AI-generated images on September 6, 2026, showcasing a design mockup for new Space Force service dress uniforms. The post described the design as inspired by "the discipline and functionality of the Starship Trooper uniform." In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Verhoeven said the administration should be aware of the film's satirical intent. "When the Trump administration talks about Starship Troopers, they should be aware that it's based on the style of Leni Riefenstahl," Verhoeven stated, referring to the filmmaker known for Nazi propaganda. "I don't know if this president is aware that the movie says these characters are fascists without knowing that they're fascists. That's the point." Verhoeven explained that his film was a deliberate satire of fascism, using Nazi iconography to critique militarism and authoritarianism. He noted that the film's heroes are, "without knowing, Nazis," a point he said has been consistently misunderstood.