White House not pleased by Samsung's use of Obama-Ortiz selfie in ad

The White House press secretary says Obama was not aware that the photo was part of a marketing stunt.

WASHINGTON — The White House is not amused that Samsung is promoting a selfie with the president taken by Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz on a Samsung phone.

Spokesman Jay Carney says the White House objects any time the president’s image is used for commercial purposes. Carney says in this case, quote, “We certainly object.”

Carney didn’t say whether the White House has asked Samsung to stop using the image.

Ortiz tweeted the photo of him with President Barack Obama to followers Tuesday. It’s been resent by tens of thousands of Twitter users, and Samsung retweeted the photo in an ad. The company also tweeted that the photo was taken with a Samsung phone.