The Pokémon Company Responds to White House’s Pokopia Meme
The Pokémon Company recently responded to a meme created by the White House using the Pokopia branding. The meme emerged on social media and involved a font generator from Pixel Frame that allows users to recreate the Pokopia logo with their own text. On March 5, 2026, the White House posted an image imitating the Pokopia logo, with the phrase “make america great again” integrated into the design. In the background, key art from the game was visible.
The Response from The Pokémon Company
According to a report by TIME, Sravanthi Dev, a spokesperson for The Pokémon Company, stated that the organization did not authorize the use of its intellectual property. The statement emphasized their dedication to uniting people and declared that the brand is not linked to any political perspectives.
Dev’s full statement noted: “We are aware of recent social content that includes imagery associated with our brand. We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property.”
Previous Incidents Involving Pokémon IP
This is not the first instance where the White House has employed Pokémon imagery. In September 2025, the Department of Homeland Security shared a recruitment video for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that showcased elements from the Pokémon anime. This action drew significant backlash online.
During that incident, The Pokémon Company reiterated that it had not given permission for such usage, although their statement did not reflect on their core mission as it did in the Pokopia meme case. Former Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan indicated that the company likely would refrain from pursuing further action due to its hesitation towards publicity.
Key Facts Summary
- Date of Meme Release: March 5, 2026
- Source of Meme: Font generator by Pixel Frame
- White House Statement: “make america great again”
- Previous Incident: September 2025 ICE recruitment video
- Company Response to Previous Use: No permission granted
The situation illustrates ongoing concerns regarding the use of intellectual property in political contexts and the importance of brand integrity for The Pokémon Company in the public sphere.
