The White House is introducing racial bias into arcade games.
The PR team at the White House has rolled out a collection of vaguely policy-themed “arcade” games, some of which have drawn criticism for their racially insensitive themes and are clearly inspired by popular titles that might not appreciate being linked to the MAGA agenda.
The Tetris Company has already taken notice of “Build the Wall,” which closely resembles the iconic puzzle game. In this version, players stack interlocking shapes to fend off a “zombie border siege” at the southern border. The game features aliens—an unfortunate term used by the administration for noncitizens—who race across the screen, attempting to reach America before the gates close.
In a statement, Tetris spokesperson Kerri Brusca emphasized that the company had no involvement in the creation of this game. “For over 40 years, Tetris has united people across generations and cultures through play and joy. The goal has always been to stack with purpose to clear as many lines as possible,” Brusca stated. “We are currently reviewing the matter.”
Other companies whose brands were appropriated for these games—like Sega, Nintendo, Xbox, and the Flappy Bird Foundation Group—have yet to respond to inquiries.
The Trump administration has faced backlash in the past for copyright infringements, with the Department of Homeland Security having to remove some of its controversial posts after receiving DMCA takedown requests.
The intent behind Trump’s endless stream of memes, games, and gimmicks is multifaceted: to rally support for his policies, entertain his followers, and, of course, to provoke his critics. One game, “Rio Run,” mimics the classic snake game, where the head of the snake is a Border Patrol agent collecting migrants as he moves across the screen. The humor here is dark, as it plays on the theme of deportation.
However, these games also inadvertently expose the administration’s policy failures and the contradictions within Trump’s agenda. For instance, his attempts to construct a wall through protected areas in the Southwest, including Big Bend National Park, have faced significant opposition—even from Republicans in staunchly conservative Texas who are part of the MAGA coalition.
Other games serve as reminders of how Trump’s policies are backfiring, even among his supporters. “Flappy Bill,” a twist on Flappy Bird, tasks players with guiding a bald eagle to deliver legislation to the National Mall. This is ironic, considering the administration has rolled back protections under the Endangered Species Act, which was crucial in saving bald eagles from extinction. The proposed changes to the National Mall have also been met with disapproval.
In “Supply Line,” reminiscent of Tapper, players must knock processed foods—loaded with additives and artificial ingredients—off a conveyor belt before they reach schoolchildren. Yet, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has struggled to address these issues. His main contributions have included a likely AI-generated report for his Make America Healthy Again commission, while his focus has been on rolling back vaccine recommendations and food safety regulations. The administration’s cuts to the Food and Drug Administration have also hindered efforts to investigate outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
Ultimately, these games highlight a troubling reality: the well-being of the public seems to be treated as a joke by the president and his administration.
