This morning, the previously banned Donald Trump Captain America mod for Marvel Rivals reappeared on Nexus Mods. However, as of this writing, it has been banned yet again, marking Trump’s second removal from the platform.
Originally created by RedditEchoChmbr, the controversial mod was briefly re-uploaded on the morning of January 6, 2025, by a user named szhred1. However, the mod’s availability was short-lived, as Nexus Mods quickly acted to enforce its longstanding policy against politically themed content.
The Donald Trump Captain America Mod reposted on January 6, 2025 before being taken down again quickly by Nexus Mods – Screenshot, Nexus Mods
READ: Helldivers 2 Director Slams DEI in Gaming: ‘Make Good Games, Not Political Statements!’
This marks the latest chapter in the saga of political mods for Marvel Rivals. The Trump mod had previously been banned alongside a Joe Biden Captain America mod, both of which violated Nexus Mods’ guidelines aimed at maintaining neutrality and preventing divisive content. While the Biden mod has not resurfaced, the Trump mod’s brief return has reignited debates within the modding community about free expression and content moderation.
Donald Trump as Captain America in Marvel Rivals ! If you have the Biden mod LMK ! pic.twitter.com/Tul5Db6CSa
— AMMO (@INFINIT3AMMO) January 4, 2025
Nexus Mods introduced its ban on U.S. political mods in 2020, citing the need to curb inflammatory content and low-effort uploads that detracted from the platform’s focus on enhancing gaming experiences and escapism. Despite the policy, politically themed mods like this one slip through all the time.
Of course, when anything gains popularity the way Rivals has, people inevitably attempt to politicize it. Though recently we’ve seen left-leaning gamers make demands that go beyond simple mods that players can turn on and off. They want their ideology inserted directly into the game by developers so that everyone will have to experience what they want to see.
As pointed out by YouTuber Endymion in a recent video, some Rivals players are requesting identity politics and Pride ideology inserted into the game, with one user going so far as to demand there be gender-swapped versions of each character model so as not to offend anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable playing Doctor Strange as a man.
A user demands gender-swapped characters in Marvel Rivals – YouTube, EndymionTV
These are likely the same people clutching their pearls about political mods.
We’ve also seen this before in games like Helldivers 2, where players started demanding capes in the style of ideologically driven flags that break the immersion and escapism of the experience.
A screenshot from the Marvel Rivals Trailer – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Rivals, developed by NetEase Games, launched in December 2024 as a free-to-play, team-based PvP shooter featuring a roster of Marvel superheroes and villains. The game has quickly gained popularity, boasting over 10 million players within its first 72 hours. Its success has fostered a vibrant modding community.
Are you against political mods on either side in gaming? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
