On September 4, 2026, The Tetris Company issued a statement denying that the White House had permission to use its intellectual property. This follows the release of a new collection of online arcade games on the official administration website.
"Build the Wall" instructions and the MAGA-fied Sega logo
The "Build the Wall" game, which is part of the new White House arcade collection, includes instructions to "protect the border from the coming horde." The game's aesthetic and themes have drawn immediate condemnation from critics who describe the content as racist. According to a statement to AFP, The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of the game and did not license its brand for the project.
The White House defended the release as a way to "innovate and tell the story of the President's many accomplishments." However, the promotional content includes visual elements that appear to mimic established brands. In one instance, the administration released a clip where letters from the Sega logo were transformed into the "MAGA" acronym.
Legal scrutiny over Microsoft, Sega, and Flappy Bird imagery
The White House's new arcade page includes several titles that appear to infringe on the trademarks of major developers. As reported by the Associated Press, the collection features imagery resembling games from Sega, Microsoft-owned Xbox, and the Flappy Bird Foundation. One specific game, titled "Flappy Bill," features a bald eagle navigating a Washington, D.C.-style environment.
While the administration has moved forward with the digital rollout, major tech entities have remained largely silent. Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment regarding the Xbox-style imagery, and the Sega Corporation could not be reached for an immediate response.
Amerika Garcia Grewal's critique of borderland suffering
The release of these games has sparked intense backlash from border advocates who argue the games trivialize serious human rights issues. Amerika Garcia Grewal, co-director of the Frontera Federation in Eagle Pass, Texas, expressed deep frustration with the administration's approach. She told AFP that the games ignore the quality of life for people in the borderlands, who she says are often treated with suspicion and violence.
This criticism highlights a growing tension between the administration's digital messaging and the lived experiences of U .S. citizens in border regions. Grewal suggested that the administration has transitioned from "playing games with people's lives" to creating literal video games about their struggles.
Which White House official approved the Sega-style logo?
The release of these games occurs as the Trump administration attempts to promote its successes ahead of the November midterm elections. While the adminstration has a history of using social media stunts to troll opponents, the specific legal authorization for these games remains a major unknown. It is currently unclear if the White House intentionally mimicked these brands or if the copyright violations occurred without the knowledge of senior officials.
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