The Pokémon Company has issued an objection regarding the unauthorized use of its intellectual property after an AI-generated meme referencing its latest game, Pokémon Pokopia, was shared by the White House. The meme mimicked the game's style and featured familiar Pokémon, making it a topic of controversy. The company asserted that it did not grant permission for the use of its IP, which is intended to unify fans rather than align with any political agenda. This follows previous instances where the Trump administration used other gaming IPs in a similar fashion, raising questions about the implications of such political usage on brand integrity.

What was the controversy involving Pokémon Pokopia and the White House?

The controversy arose when the White House used a meme featuring Pokémon Pokopia, a newly released game, without permission from The Pokémon Company, prompting the company to issue an official objection.

Pokémon Pokopia was released on March 5, 2026, as a spinoff for the Nintendo Switch 2, depicting a vibrant world filled with iconic Pokémon characters. Its launch was highly anticipated among fans, making the unauthorized use by political entities particularly controversial and drawing attention to how brands navigate their intellectual property rights in the political arena.