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White House faces backlash for using Pikachu without permission in political post
Pokémon says its iconic characters were used in a MAGA meme without permission
The Pokémon Company has publicly rebuked the White House for using its characters in a political meme without permission, emphasizing that its mission is apolitical.
On Thursday, March 5, the company issued its second statement after a meme featuring Pikachu and other characters from Pokopia, Pokémon’s latest life-simulation game for Nintendo Switch, was shared from the White House’s official social media account with the slogan “Make America Great Again” overlaid.
“We are aware of recent social content that includes imagery associated with our brand,” said Pokémon spokesperson Sravanthi Dev.
“We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property. Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda.”
This follows a similar dispute in September when the Department of Homeland Security used Pokémon’s “Gotta catch ‘em all” slogan and theme song in a video featuring Border Patrol and ICE agents, prompting the company to clarify it did not authorize the use.
In response to the most recent statement, White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr highlighted Pokémon’s prior involvement in political campaigns, citing a 2016 article on Hillary Clinton’s campaign using Pokémon Go to register voters. Dorr also posted a Trump-themed Pokémon card on social media.
The controversy reflects a broader pattern of celebrities objecting to the White House using their work without permission.
Singer Kenny Loggins criticized an AI-generated video that used his 1986 hit Danger Zone, Olivia Rodrigo condemned the use of her song All-American Bitch in a pro-ICE video, and Sabrina Carpenter called the unauthorized use of her music “evil and disgusting.”
Ben Stiller also requested that the administration remove clips from Tropic Thunder, stating, “We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine.”