The White House has removed a Tetris-style game called 'Build The Wall' from its website following a copyright complaint from The Tetris Company. The game, which mimicked Tetris gameplay, was criticized for its racist implications. The Tetris Company clarified it was not involved in the game's creation and took copyright infringement seriously. The game's page now returns a 404 error, indicating it is no longer available. The White House has not provided an official reason for the removal or responded to requests for comment.

The game, which saw players stack blocks to build a wall to 'protect the border,' is one of five arcade games that appeared on the White House website. The Tetris Company has previously sued firms for infringing on its copyright, including settling with the makers of the iPhone game Mino in 2012. Four other games remain on the site, including 'Flappy Bill,' a clone of Flappy Bird featuring a bald eagle, and 'Rio Run,' which resembles the classic Snake game. In 'Rio Run,' players must 'patrol the line along the river' and are shown a 'Deported' number when they reach the edge of the map.

The games have drawn criticism from politicians, with Connecticut Democratic state senator Matt Lesser tweeting: 'Heating oil is near an all-time high but hey you can play Border Tsar Tom Homan in a video game.' The arcade section is part of a broader trend of the Trump administration incorporating video game culture into its political messaging. In October 2025, the White House faced criticism for posting an AI-generated image of President Trump in a Halo suit. In March, the Pokémon Company International criticized the White House for using its imagery in a meme with the phrase 'Make America Great Again.'

The Tetris Company's response to the game emphasized its commitment to 'connection and building people together, not dividing them.' The firm's initial statement to the BBC noted its concern over the game's implications. The White House has not issued a formal statement or explanation for the removal of 'Build The Wall.' The game's removal highlights the potential legal and reputational risks of using copyrighted material in political messaging.

Other games on the White House website, such as 'Flappy Bill' and 'Rio Run,' continue to be available. 'Flappy Bill' features a bald eagle dodging monuments from the National Mall, while 'Rio Run' involves a white male character deporting immigrant characters. These games have been criticized for their portrayal of immigration and national identity. The White House has not commented on the continued presence of these games or their content.

The situation remains unclear regarding the broader implications of the White House's use of video games for political messaging. While 'Build The Wall' has been removed, other games remain, raising questions about the administration's approach to digital communication and its potential impact on public perception. The White House has not provided further details on its plans for the arcade section or its future use of video games in political messaging. The removal of 'Build The Wall' underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and the potential consequences of copyright infringement in public platforms.