Tetris owner denounces White House clone of game

September 5, 2026 - 09:00

The company that owns the rights to Tetris is pushing back against a new game released by the Trump administration, calling it an unauthorized copy of the classic puzzle title. The White House version, which tasks players with stopping space aliens and zombies from crossing the U.S.-Mexican border, has drawn sharp criticism from The Tetris Co., which says it never gave permission for the project.

In a public statement, the company said the game's mechanics are a direct lift from the original Tetris formula, where falling blocks must be arranged to clear lines. The White House version swaps those blocks for cartoonish threats and adds a border wall theme, but the core gameplay remains the same. The Tetris Co. argues that the administration's use of the concept without a license is both legally questionable and politically charged.

The White House has not commented on the legal threat, but the game was reportedly designed as a playful way to highlight border security efforts. Critics, however, see it as trivializing a serious policy issue. The Tetris Co. is now weighing its options, which could include a formal cease-and-desist letter or a lawsuit. For now, the company is making it clear that it wants no part in what it calls a "political stunt" built on its intellectual property. The dispute adds another layer to the ongoing debate over how the administration uses digital media to communicate its agenda.