White House criticises Samsung for tweeting Obama selfie

Samsung re-tweeted a photo taken by Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz on his Samsung phone earlier this week

The White House has criticised Samsung for promoting a selfie of President Barack Obama taken by Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz on his Samsung phone earlier this week. (Getty Images )

The White House has criticised Samsung for promoting a selfie of President Barack Obama taken by Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz on his Samsung phone earlier this week.

Samsung re-tweeted the photo to its 5.2 million followers on its Samsung US mobile account. Mr Ortiz has since been forced to strenuously deny rumours he was paid by the company to take the picture.

The photo, which was taken shortly after Mr Obama was presented with a personalised Red Sox jersey, was re-tweeted over 40,000 times by Mr Ortiz’s followers.

Spokesman Jay Carney said the White House objects any time the president's image is used for commercial purposes.

Mr Carney said: "Without getting into counsel's discussions, I can tell you that as a rule, the White House objects to attempts to use the president's likeness for commercial purposes, and we certainly object in this case."

He said lawyers were being consulted over the matter.

Mr Oritz told The Boston Globe that there was "no way" he had been paid for the picture.

He said: “That was one of those things that just happened. I gave him the jersey, and the photographers were going to take their pictures and I thought, really at the last second, maybe I should snap a shot with my phone while I have the chance."

Samsung have not yet commented on the issue.