White House Removes ‘Build the Wall’ Game After Tetris Rebuke

The White House abruptly took down its newly released "Build the Wall" game after it faced backlash from the Tetris Company. Launched alongside a series of other games, "Build the Wall" allowed players to stack blocks to form a wall, symbolizing the administration's border security policies. However, on Tuesday, the game was no longer accessible on the White House website.

The Tetris Company clarified that they were not involved in the creation of the game and were opposed to its political undertones. The company emphasized their belief in connection and unity, not division, and warned of potential copyright infringement issues. The company's statement suggested they might take legal action if necessary.

The White House has faced criticism from various sources for its digital strategy, with the Tetris Company joining a growing list of companies that have distanced themselves from the Trump Administration's use of copyrighted material to promote its agenda. Earlier this year, the Pokémon Company objected to the White House's use of Pokémon imagery, and the Department of Homeland Security had previously been criticized for using Pokémon branding in a video promoting immigration enforcement.

The White House defended its efforts, stating that it aimed to contrast with a "culture of fun and winning" and the "dark socialist vision Democrats have for America." However, the game drew backlash from Democratic lawmakers who argued that the administration's priorities were misplaced amidst high fuel prices, inflation, and other pressing issues.