Actor, activist and social media icon George Takei has launched House of Cats, a new political app sure to rile up the White House. The app combines what the internet loves best: cats and politics. 

This New Augmented Reality App Gives People a New Way to Play a Part in World’s Politics

Using cool new Pokemon GO-style augmented reality features, users can take the inaugural character “Trumpy Cat” out of the White House and put him anywhere they want, add outrageous dialogue-of their own, or taken straight from the Tweeter-in-Chief-and share with friends.

“This is, without a doubt, one of the most absurd and tragic moments in U.S. history. We should feel upset about some of the things that are happening, but we created this app so we can laugh about some of the more ridiculous stuff,” said Takei.

I spoke to Takei just hours after the Helsinki summit between Trump and Putin, and as with many he was still trying to comprehend what just transpired with the figurehead representing his country, whom he refers to by a variety of names, none being President. “He’s an ignorant, ill-prepared, idiotic, ninkumpoop”, he fires off. Throughout our conversation he uses fake, sham, mockery, pretend, and so-called, as varying words reflective of his thoughts on this man.

With his involvement within and around the political universe, and his love of cats, including his Shorty Award win for Distinguished Achievement in Internet Culture for his Grumpy Cat memes, it makes perfect sense that he be the one to bring life to Trumpy Cat. He says, “We are using all of Trumps own words in his own voice as Trumpy Cat, and there will also be a creative approach with other vocalizations.”

“It’s the most bizarre situation. Trump is bringing pity on America from people who love the USA. Trumpy Cat is going opposite by mocking it. ‘The world is laughing at us’ is another quote we haven’t used yet,” he shared.

Takei has actually met and worked with Trump previously, in the role of team leader on Trump’s reality show, Celebrity Apprentice. “I was fired because the bad judgment on his part. Our group was divided into two teams, one men and one women. We had to decorate two Lord and Taylor windows to sell Ivanka merchandise. We were creative and artful, elegant and Fifth Ave, presenting two models, one for day and one for evening, which were choreographed to look like one model. The women had the window filled with all her merchandise, looking more like 34th Street, yet they still won.”

Prior to the show beginning Trump was quite vocal in stating he doesn’t support marriage equality, so Takei thought he’d put him on the record by inviting him to have lunch at one his own restaurants at Takei’s expense. Trump agreed. “I thought it might be an interesting conversation, but I didn’t expect that reaction.” Takei said. Three months later, over lunch Takei tried to explain that marriage equality would be an economic boom to not only New York City, but his hotels and restaurants as well. “He still said he believed in traditional marriage. I held back and didn’t respond by saying he was married three times, and unfaithful in all three. We agreed to disagree, so I guess you can say I had intercourse with him,” he chuckles.

Questioned about the legalities that might come down from above, he replied, “Ours will be so much more credible than what he’s been saying. There will be no grounds for lawsuit.” As for receiving the coveted Trump Tweet, he laughs, “I’m not expecting one, but who cares.”

‘This app is going to be YUGE-much bigger than Pokemon Go” – Trumpy Cat

House of Cats is the first political app that puts users in the center  of the action so they can interact with world leaders and the latest  news, whether creating their own funny short videos or just “enjoying” the latest antics from the White House.

The app features built-in animations and augmented reality, fresh  content pulled straight from the headlines, and new dialogue straight from the POTUS’s mouth. With House of Cats, users can:

  • Pick favorite crazy quotes and relive some of the funniest lines from the most hilarious animated presidential cat in U.S. history
  • Watch Trumpy Cat interact with his family, friends and enemies in the Oval Office or-with a tap on the presidential seal-drop him into the real world in augmented reality mode
  • Use the microphone to make Trumpy Cat say anything they want

Users can create, record and share videos of themselves and their friends with Trumpy Cat. The app will also keep users giggling with funny zingers and short skits that riff off the latest news.

“Obama never got an app made about him, that’s for sure” – Trumpy Cat

The app will launch with a small cast of characters – Trumpy Cat, Meowlania, Vladdy Putin and Lil’ Rocket Pug-but the world of the app will continue to grow and evolve with the politics of the day, adding new characters and satirical content in sync with world events and new features that enhance users’ ability to create their own content-like settings, clothing and props. New functions will also be added, like selfie mode and internal postings.

“House of Cats is fun, it’s engaging, it’s interactive, and it’s fresh, and there will always be new, timely political humor to enjoy. Best of all, everyone can participate! Laughter is powerful medicine, and it’s impossible not to laugh at the bright orange animal who lucked into a job running the United States,” added Takei. “I’m talking about Trumpy Cat, of course.”

The app is available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play for $0.99, and a premium content subscription version will be available soon, although not all features will be immediately available on iPhone 6 and older iPhone versions. A percentage of the net profits from House of Cats will be donated to Refugees International. Watch a quick promo video here.

About House of Cats
House of Cats is the first political app that puts users in the center of the action. Using a cast of animated political characters and Pokemon GO-style augmented reality features, users can participate in the political news of the day by creating their own photos and videos-in and out of the Oval Office. The app was created by George Takei, globally-renowned actor, political activist and social media icon, in partnership with Montreal-based app development company BMAD. www.houseofcats.com

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.