Skip to content

HBO unimpressed by Trump's Game of Thrones meme

Sky handout Actors Kit Harrington and John Bradley in international TV hit series Game of ThronesSky handout
Actors Kit Harrington and John Bradley in international TV hit series Game of Thrones

The term 'sanctions' will turn off all but the most devoted current affairs nerds. But add a Game Of Thrones meme, and BAM!, it's social-media friendly.

The White House did just that on Friday when a picture referencing the hit TV series was posted on President Donald Trump's social media accounts. "Sanctions are coming," it said.

It came after the administration announced it is to reinstate all US sanctions on Iran removed under the 2015 nuclear deal.

HBO, the US network that produced Game of Thrones, was unimpressed, saying: "We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes."

Allow Instagram content?

This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

Social media users quickly picked up on the meme and ran with it, usually hitting back with their own nerdery.

"How do you say trademark abuse in Dothraki," one wrote, referring to the fictional language used in the fantasy series.

Others made their own memes.

One involved a photoshopped image of Robert Mueller, the former FBI chief who is leading the inquiry into whether the Trump 2016 election campaign colluded with Russia.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

Others predicted further indictments would be served by the special counsel's team.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

Others expressed their frustration with the presidency.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

Game of Thrones cast members too opposed the use of their show's imagery.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, simply wrote, "Ew."

In 2017 Kit Harrington, who plays heroic character Jon Snow, told Esquire magazine "I think this man at the head of your country is a con artist."

Others implied the use of a meme to announce a foreign policy affecting millions of lives was inappropriate.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

The move came before the mid-term elections on 6 November, timing that did not escape the notice of some.

"As my model predicted, the Friday before election day is dominated by Trump tweeting a Game of Thrones meme," wrote journalist Andrew Prokop.

But many others approved of the Trump post.

"That's my President! We love u! Keep making America great!" wrote one Instagram user.

Presentational grey line

By UGC and Social News

You might also like: