Hasbro Condemns US Department of Homeland Security AI Posts Using Optimus Prime

Hasbro has issued a public statement condemning artificial intelligence-generated posts published by the United States Department of Homeland Security that featured the Transformers character Optimus Prime. The social media posts depicted Optimus Prime acting as an ally to the Department of Homeland Security to push a polarizing agenda. The usage quickly drew criticism from fans and property owners alike.

In response to the controversy, Hasbro shared a statement on social media distancing the company from the content. Hasbro stated that the posts were created without permission and do not represent the brand or its values.

"Optimus Prime is a beloved character who represents humility, leadership, compassion and justice," Hasbro said in the official statement. "Hasbro is aware of the recent posts using his likeness. These posts were done without permission and do not represent the Transformers brand or Hasbro."

The current United States government and Trump administration faced widespread backlash from fans regarding intellectual property ownership. Numerous artificial intelligence-generated videos and images have recently appeared using established franchises including Transformers, Halo, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda. Following the backlash and Hasbro's condemnation, the controversial posts from the Department of Homeland Security were taken down from social media platforms.