The Tetris Company Says White House ‘Build the Wall’ Game Used Its IP Without

The Tetris Company has publicly distanced itself from a Tetris-style browser game launched by the Trump White House, stating it had no involvement in the game's creation and never granted permission for its intellectual property to be used.

The game in question is called Build the Wall, one of five browser titles the White House published on 4 September (AEST) at whitehouse.gov/arcade and a dedicated arcade.gov domain.

Inven Global reported that the White House frames the collection as policy made interactive. Kaelan Dorr, the White House deputy assistant to the president and head of digital strategy, described the project as policy you can interact with.

What 'Build the Wall' Actually Is

Build the Wall tasks players with stacking falling blocks of various shapes to construct a border wall, then using that wall to repel zombie-like figures approaching from the right side of the screen.

Its start screen carries slogans including "Zombie Border Siege" and "Stack Bricks, Hold the Line." The mechanic mirrors Tetris in its controls and block shapes.

The objective, though, diverges sharply — rather than clearing horizontal lines, players pile blocks as high as possible.

The other four games in the Arcade are also themed around the administration's agenda. Rio Run, modelled on Snake, has players rounding up figures in orange jumpsuits.

Supply Line, styled after Tapper, involves sorting food against dietary standards promoted by the administration. Flappy Bill casts a bald eagle carrying legislation over Washington landmarks.

Trump Savings Tycoon ties to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed 4 July 2026, which allocates a one-time US government contribution to eligible children born between 2025 and 2028.

Tetris Company's Response

The Tetris Company told the Associated Press it played no part in Build the Wall's development and did not authorise or license the Tetris brand for the game. The company was not consulted.

On its official X account, it reiterated that it believes in bringing people together through play rather than dividing them, and added that its fans worldwide are valued and seen.

Variety noted the company's statement also emphasised that the Tetris brand has connected generations and cultures for over 40 years.

The company confirmed it is reviewing the matter but had not, as of publication, disclosed what action it intends to take or whether it has formally asked the White House to remove the game.

Broader Pattern of Gaming IP Disputes

TechTimes reported that the White House Arcade's launch is not an isolated incident.

According to that outlet, the Trump administration's use of gaming IP without authorisation has drawn two formal diplomatic protests from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prompted an active lawsuit from Nintendo against the US government. This is a pattern.

The Arcade site also includes a "Coming Soon" section, signalling the White House intends to expand the collection further.

The Tetris brand's licensing network includes major publishers such as Nintendo and Sega, and Tetris Holding LLC holds worldwide rights to the property with the Tetris Company acting as its exclusive licensee.

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