Tetris has criticised the Trump administration after the White House launched an unlicensed game closely resembling the iconic falling-block puzzle on its website.
The White House on Thursday introduced an online arcade featuring six browser-based games designed to promote aspects of the administration’s agenda.
One of the games, titled “Build The Wall”, closely mirrors Tetris gameplay but replaces the traditional objective with a political theme centred on border security. Players stack blocks to prevent zombie-like figures, portrayed as people attempting to enter the United States illegally from Mexico, from crossing the border.
The Tetris Company said it had no involvement in the creation of the game and had neither authorised nor licensed the use of its brand or intellectual property.
In a statement, the company said it believed in “the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them”, while stressing that it takes copyright infringement seriously.
The company said it was reviewing the matter when asked whether it planned to pursue legal action over the game.
According to the Tetris Company, the game has brought people together across generations and cultures for more than four decades, with its original objective focused on strategically clearing lines.
The controversy comes as the White House faces repeated objections from musicians over the unauthorised use of their songs in official and social media content.
Artists including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande have previously called on the administration to stop using their music in videos.
Similar disputes have occurred throughout President Donald Trump’s second term, particularly over videos featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations involving migrants.
The issue also dates back to Trump’s first presidential campaign. In 2016, rock band The White Stripes criticised the use of their song “Seven Nation Army” during his campaign.
