Rockstar Officially Comments on GTA 6’s Approach to Trump & COVID-19
Rockstar Games says Grand Theft Auto 6 will avoid directly satirising Donald Trump’s rise to power and the COVID-19 pandemic. Studio head Rob Nelson said the aim is to keep the game’s humour relevant over time, since specific political events and internet memes can quickly feel dated.
The long gap between GTA 5 and GTA 6 gives Rockstar plenty of recent culture to draw on, and trailers have included apparent nods to viral memes. Nelson said the game may address broader themes, such as conspiracy theories, while avoiding contemporary slang and narrow political references. GTA 6 is due for release on 19 November for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
- GTA 6 will not directly satirise Trump or COVID-19.
- Rockstar wants the game’s satire to feel timeless.
- Release is scheduled for 19 November on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
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Grand Theft Auto is a crime-focused video game series set in fictional versions of American cities. Its stories often use parody and dark humour to comment on crime, celebrity, media and politics.
Grand Theft Auto 5 came out in 2013, and its follow-up is set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida. The games are made by Rockstar Games, whose writers have to decide which parts of real life will still make sense to players years later.
That choice matters because political events, slang and online jokes can lose their meaning quickly, while broader subjects such as conspiracy theories may remain familiar to players. GTA 6 is planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Avoiding direct references to Trump and COVID-19 could help the game’s satire remain intelligible and funny years after release, rather than tying it to events or memes that may quickly lose their relevance. Focusing on broader themes such as conspiracy theories also gives Rockstar room to comment on recurring social patterns without making the game feel like a snapshot of one moment.
The case against
A game set in contemporary America may feel less perceptive if it sidesteps two defining recent developments that have shaped politics and everyday life. Direct satire of Trump’s rise or the pandemic could give the story sharper relevance and allow players to engage with those events through humour, even if some references become dated over time.