The National made their network television debut when they performed "Fake Empire" on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on July 24, 2007. In the television series "Chuck", the song appeared in the episode "Chuck Versus the Break-up" on October 13, 2008. "Fake Empire" also played during the final scene of the pilot episode of NBC's police drama "Southland", as well as over the concluding scene and credits of the 2008 film "Battle in Seattle". An instrumental version of the song was featured in Barack Obama's campaign video "Signs of Hope and Change" during his 2008 United States presidential campaign, and the song was also played at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The members of The National supported the presidential candidate; they put Obama's face on a fundraising T-shirt with the text "Mr. November", taken from the name of a song from the band's third album, "Alligator". In the fifth season premiere episode of the teen drama television series "One Tree Hill", several songs by The National were featured, including "Fake Empire". It was also featured in Person of Interest, at the end of the episode Sotto Voce, 9th episode of the 5th season. Season 1 episode 6 of Feel Good, a Netflix series, featured this song.