Pokémon criticises White House over ‘Pokopia’ social media post to promote MAGA

Pokémon says it did not authorize the use of its intellectual property after an AI-generated image resembling Nintendo’s new game Pokopia appeared in a White House social media post.

The Pokémon brand has criticized the White House after an online post featured artwork that closely resembled the visual style of Pokopia, a newly released life-simulation game by Nintendo.

The graphic, which circulated widely on social media on Thursday, included the slogan “Make America Great Again” written in a colorful font similar to the one associated with Pokopia. Observers noted that the image appeared to be AI-generated and closely mirrored the aesthetic of the game’s cover art.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pokémon said the company had no involvement in the creation or distribution of the image.

“We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property,” the spokesperson said.

“Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda.”

The company did not confirm whether legal action would be pursued.

Trump Administration’s Use of Memes Under Scrutiny

During President Donald Trump’s second term, the administration has increasingly used internet memes and trending online formats across official government social media accounts.

However, several of these posts have drawn criticism for incorporating branded intellectual property without authorization.

Experts say the use of recognizable media franchises in government messaging may raise concerns related to copyright, trademarks, and brand association.

Previous Pokémon-Related Controversy

This is not the first time Pokémon has objected to government content using its material.

In September, the company responded after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared a video featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests mixed with clips from Pokémon. The video was also set to the anime’s iconic theme song “Gotta Catch ’Em All!”

The post quickly sparked online backlash and raised questions about the use of copyrighted entertainment content in official government communications.

Other Posts Criticized Online

Several other posts from official White House accounts have recently faced criticism.

In March, an AI-generated image inspired by the style of Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli showed a woman crying in handcuffs while being deported by immigration authorities.

Earlier this week, another controversial post combined footage of missile strikes in Iran with clips from the video game franchise Call of Duty.

Microsoft, which owns Activision—the publisher of Call of Duty—declined to comment on the video.

Musicians Also Object to Government Use of Content

The controversy extends beyond gaming and animation franchises.

Several artists and celebrities have publicly objected to the use of their work in government messaging. Among those who have raised concerns are Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Zara Larsson.

Critics say these incidents highlight the growing tension between political messaging, social media strategy, and intellectual property rights.