White House Hands Nintendo Fresh Grounds for A New Lawsuit: The Use of Wii Sports IP in Iran War Video

If you’re keeping score at home, The United States and Israel are conducting a Military Campaign on Iran, which has already caused more economic consequences across the world and in the United States. Both countries have been pumping out Propaganda videos left and right to promote their cause. But The White House may have given Nintendo another opportunity to sue the United States Government, and it was presented in the form of Copyright/IP Infringement.

The latest video for Operation Epic Fury was posted on Thursday across the White House’s social media and YouTube channel, borrowing liberally from Nintendo’s Wii Sports, splicing videos of Wii characters hitting balls at targets with footage of U.S. military strikes killing people, all set to Nintendo’s iconic music. Now, Nintendo has always been known to vigorously defend their IP in the past, and they are already suing the Trump Administration, the U.S. Treasury, DHS, USTR, CBP, and the Commerce Department for refunds (plus interest) on tariffs paid under executive orders that the Supreme Court later ruled unlawful (using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act). The White House gave the video game company another opportunity to sue the United States Government, which offers Nintendo leverage, publicity, or a basis for a parallel suit/injunction. Nintendo (and its subsidiaries) own exclusive copyrights in these elements under the U.S. law (17 U.S.C. § 106). According to the Huffington post,White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Independent: “Under the decisive leadership of President Trump, America’s heroic warfighters are meeting or surpassing all of their goals under Operation Epic Fury.”

“The legacy media wants us to apologize for highlighting the United States Military’s incredible success, but the White House will continue showcasing the many examples of Iran’s ballistic missiles, production facilities, and dreams of owning a nuclear weapon being destroyed in real time.

Anna Kelly, White House Spokesperson

There was another time that the United States Government used Nintendo’s intellectual property in September 2025. The Department of Homeland Security posted on their Twitter account to promote ICE’s deportation tactics. The Pokémon Company put out a statement regarding the IP infringement, denying involvement in the creation or distribution of the content. Six months later, the White House decided to “poke the Ursaring (Bear-like Pokémon)” even more by posting a meme on their social media account that featured imagery and styling from Pokémon Pokopia with the “Make America Great Again” slogan. Once again, The Pokémon Company released another statement, condemning the White House once more, saying, “We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property,” said Pokémon spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev. “Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda.” The White House responded to the statement, accusing the Pokémon Company of political bias.

What is Copyright Infringement?

Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and public display/performance in a commercial/political propaganda context (promoting military action) qualifies as infringement.

Definition (Copyright.Gov)

Other Media (Video Games, Anime, Films, Animation) Included with responses to Operation Epic Fury Propaganda:

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Is it Hypocrisy?: Video Game Edition!

It’s time for “Is It Hypocrisy?” In Trump’s first term, he and other GOP Politicians were quick to villainize Video Games when it came to shootings such as the 2019 Wal-Mart Shooting in El-Paso Texas, and the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Parkland, Florida. Years later, it would seem that he or his new administration have no problem with using Video Games or other media to justify their actions, but would you say the President is being hypocritical after seeing his response regarding Video Games?

Recently, the FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to pull network licenses who report on the war with “hoaxes and news extortions, aka Fake News.” Users on Social Media (including politicians were quick to point out that it would not only be unconstitutional, but the Communications Act (Section 326) explicitly bars the FCC from censorship or interfering with free speech rights. Like the Trump Administration’s unauthorized use of intellectual properties like Nintendo’s Nintendo Wii IP, it creates a narrative of executive branch overreach. One is using private IP for propaganda, and the other is attempting to coercing media content via regulatory threats.

Operation Epic Fury is a joint military operation involving the United States and Israel against Iran. The Opening salvo took out the heart of the Iranian Regime, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and triggered a torrent of hundreds of retaliatory missiles and thousands of drones from Iran across the Middle East. The attacks have left enormous damage across the Middle East, more than 2,000 people dead in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel, and hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded. The operation itself has cost estimate ranging at $11.3 Billion at Day 6, $16.5 Billion at Day 12 according to the CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies). The figures reflect heavy early expenditures on high-cost munitions, intercepts, strikes, operations, and related damages, with a shift toward lower-cost options after initial phases.

The use of meme-style propaganda that uses Pop Culture references has been described as disrespectful by many, even childish, but The White House claims it has been “Highly Successful” in the ongoing War. “This is another example of our non-traditional and traditional media strategy, which has proven highly successful. Over the past few days, White House’s videos have generated more than 2 billion impressions. People are talking about the tremendous success of the war and the U.S. Military’s obliteration of Iranian terrorists — and that’s exactly the point.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. While many GOP Politicians claim it makes the United States “Bad Ass,” a new NBC News Poll has found that registered voters have expressed disapproval of Trump’s handling of tensions with Iran, with most believing the U.S. should not have taken military action. As the strikes continue, the cost of living will continue to rise. Gasoline prices have spiked, averages climbing nearly 51 cents per gallon within the first week of the conflict. Heating costs have soared. It will also cause an increase in shipping costs accompanied by supply chain disruptions to translate into higher food prices and consumer goods. With the world and the United States facing the economic consequences, was it worth having to endure President Trump’s hypocrisy and his failed leadership?

For more information regarding Operation Epic Fury, check out ABC NEWS, and other news companies.

Source: BBC (1, 2), The White House Official Twitter Page (1,2,3), Independent.co.uk/us, Encyclopedia Britannica, NBC News (1,2)

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