In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has announced that Halo: Campaign Evolved will be available on PlayStation. This decision marks the end of the Xbox exclusivity for the beloved franchise and, for some, symbolizes the conclusion of the console wars. Adding a peculiar twist, the White House released an AI-generated image of Donald Trump as Master Chief, raising eyebrows across the gaming community.
The remake of the classic 2001 game, Halo: Combat Evolved, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, is expected to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X and S, PC, and for the first time ever, PlayStation 5. This move solidifies Microsoft’s growing presence as a multiplatform developer.
A New Era for Halo
The idea of a Halo title debuting on a PlayStation console would have been unthinkable a few years back, but Microsoft’s strategic shift to embrace a multiplatform approach has changed the landscape. This pivot is partly driven by the company’s aim to boost profit margins from Xbox studios. In response, GameStop recently declared the end of the console wars on social media.
Following GameStop’s tweet, the White House decided to join the conversation. Their tweet, featuring an AI-generated image of President Trump as the iconic Master Chief, holding an Energy Sword and saluting in front of the American Flag, quickly gained traction.
Power to the Players https://t.co/GqNu0qdgmw pic.twitter.com/4Hw6G7i7aW
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 27, 2025
However, the AI-generated image comes with an error—only 40 stars are visible on the flag instead of 50. Speculation has arisen about whether this is a subtle message from Trump, hinting at removing 10 states from the U.S. map, or perhaps an AI glitch.
The White House’s Gaming Gambit?
Is this a bid by Trump to play a pivotal role in ending the console wars, or is it an attempt by the White House to engage with the gaming community? The image has gone viral, amassing 9.3 million views, prompting questions about its intent. Meanwhile, requests for Microsoft’s comment remain unaddressed.
This unusual collaboration from the White House is notable given Trump’s past remarks on video games. In 2019, he blamed violent video games for contributing to societal violence, stating, “We must stop the glorification of violence in our society,” and emphasizing the need to curb violent gaming culture.
Perhaps, in Trump’s perspective, Halo doesn’t fit within this critique.
The Trump administration has previously used AI images to promote the President, including depictions of Trump as the Pope, Superman, and a Star Wars Jedi. These AI visuals occasionally spark controversy, as seen when the Department of Homeland Security used Pokémon imagery in its communications.
For more insights on Halo: Campaign Evolved, check out our extensive coverage, including its impact on Xbox exclusivity and perspectives from original developers.
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.