The White House has launched a series of arcade-style video games on its official website to promote President Donald Trump’s policy priorities, including immigration enforcement, border security and his economic agenda.
The games, unveiled Thursday, are the latest example of the Trump administration’s unconventional use of government platforms and social media to promote its political messaging.
Among the games featured in the White House’s online arcade is “Rio Run,” in which players patrol the Rio Grande and attempt to capture people crossing the southern border.
The game instructs users to “pick up every crosser in the lot” as they attempt to achieve a high score based on the number of deportations.
The player is represented by an older white man wearing a blue tie, while the people being captured are depicted as Brown, Black or White. Once caught, the characters appear in orange jumpsuits and follow behind the player.
Another immigration-themed game, “Build The Wall,” challenges players to construct a border wall by stacking bricks while defending against what the game describes as a “zombie border siege.”
The arcade also features games unrelated to immigration. In one, players control a bald eagle flying along the National Mall, while another encourages users to collect diamonds and cash to fill their “kids’ Trump accounts.”
A White House official defended the initiative, describing it as an effort to contrast what the administration portrays as a positive, winning culture with what it called the “dark socialist vision Democrats have for America.”
The administration’s use of official government platforms and social media has drawn criticism, particularly over its use of provocative and offensive imagery.
Among the controversial posts previously shared by Trump and the White House were images depicting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle.
While some social media users have embraced the new arcade games and shared their scores on X, others have questioned the administration’s decision to promote the games amid concerns over issues such as the war involving Iran and the rising cost of living.
The latest initiative is consistent with the administration’s broader approach to using the White House website as a political messaging tool.
Reports in November highlighted the unusual strategy, with one administration official describing the website as both an information platform and a vehicle for advancing the administration’s message.
The official said the administration was able to “weaponize” the website in a way that no previous administration had been able to do.
The White House promoted the arcade on X with the message: “CAN’T STOP WINNING. 🎮 Build the wall. Deport. Fill a Trump Account. LIVE – PLAY NOW.”
