Vanished Overnight: Locals Fall Ill

Build the Wall Game Mechanics and Tetris Company Response

One of the arcade titles featured on the White House website was titled “Build the Wall,” according to NBC News. The gameplay required users to stack falling blocks to construct a barrier along the southern border of the United States, utilizing mechanics nearly identical to the puzzle classic Tetris. Players were instructed to hold the line against what the game termed a “zombie invasion” at the frontier.

The Tetris Company stated that it had no involvement in the game’s development and warned that it takes copyright violations very seriously. In a press release, the company issued a direct rebuttal to the game’s premise, stating that “in Tetris, we believe in the power of creating connection and bringing people together, not dividing them.” An archived version of the White House website confirmed the game was accessible on a Monday afternoon, but it was completely removed by Tuesday, according to NBC News. The White House did not respond to inquiries regarding why the game was pulled.

Migrant Organizations Condemn Digital Border Portrayals

Advocacy groups representing migrants issued fierce denunciations of the online arcade. Amerika Garcia Grewal of the migrant organization Frontera Federation told AFP that the digital portrayal made her feel nauseated. “They have been toying with people’s lives for years, and now they’ve made a video game out of what they’re doing,” Garcia Grewal said, adding that the creators had lost touch with what it will be like to be human and care about others.

Adriana Jasso of Amigos San Diego Community echoed those criticisms. “This frames it as if it’s a game, but it’s not,” Jasso said, accusing the administration of dehumanizing migrants through the platform.

Broader Intellectual Property and Copyright Controversies

Beyond the arcade games, the administration utilized copyrighted aesthetics and music from major entertainment companies. The White House published videos mimicking the startup sequences of Xbox, Sega, and Nintendo GameCube, altering Sega’s branding and audio to feature “MAGA.” Additionally, an official video titled “The Legend of Trump” imitated Nintendo’s “The Legend of Zelda” by using matching fonts, logos, and original game music.

This follows previous disputes over unauthorized use of creative works in political messaging. In December, book publisher Kids Can Press protested after Pete Hegseth shared an image depicting the children’s book character Franklin the turtle in tactical military gear, according to source reports. That same month, pop artist Sabrina Carpenter expressed outrage on social media after her song “Juno” was used in a White House immigration enforcement video detailing arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Build the Wall game removed from the White House website?

The game was removed from the official website on Tuesday following public criticism and a warning from The Tetris Company regarding copyright infringement. The White House did not respond to media inquiries regarding the specific reason for its removal.

What other games were included in the White House online arcade?

According to NBC News, the arcade featured games such as “Rio Run,” where players patrol a river, and “Flappy Bill,” which tasks users with steering a bald eagle through monuments.

Have other copyright holders objected to administration media use?

Yes. Artists and publishers have previously criticized the administration for using copyrighted material, including pop singer Sabrina Carpenter objecting to her song “Juno” appearing in an ICE arrest video, and Kids Can Press protesting the depiction of the children’s book character Franklin in military gear.