Major Franchises Deny Authorization After White House Uses Gaming and Anime Clips

IP Holders Distance Themselves from White House Social Media Post

Major players in the entertainment and gaming industries are publicly denying involvement after the White House’s official X account utilized protected intellectual property in a recent video. On March 10, the team behind the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise issued a formal statement clarifying that they did not authorize the use of their anime footage in a government post titled "JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY."

According to the statement, the White House did not seek or receive authorization from the rights holders. The franchise emphasized that no one associated with the manga or anime production had any participation in the video's creation.

A Montage of Unsanctioned Clips

The video in question, uploaded on March 5, attempts to convey a message through a montage of pop culture clips, including scenes from Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and Dragon Ball Super, set to the Mortal Kombat theme. This follows a trend of the government account leveraging meme culture and video game aesthetics, similar to previous Call of Duty-style edits.

The inclusion of gaming properties has led to specific pushback from industry figures. Steve Downes, the iconic voice of Halo's Master Chief, voiced his frustration regarding the use of his likeness and voice. He explicitly stated that he was not consulted and does not endorse the video or its message.

Pokémon Company Also Responds

This incident marks the second time in recent days that a major gaming entity has had to clarify its stance regarding the White House's social media activity. The Pokémon Company previously issued a statement after their brand was used in a separate post featuring a political slogan.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed they were not involved in the creation or distribution of that content. They reiterated that the brand's mission is to bring people together and is not affiliated with any specific political agenda. Currently, it remains unknown if Konami or other affected IP holders intend to pursue legal action regarding the unauthorized usage.