HBO Gets Fussy Over Trump’s Use Of A ‘Game Of Thrones’ Meme

As I mentioned earlier, President Trump tweeted out a Game of Thrones-inspired meme in light of his announcement on Iranian sanctions.

pic.twitter.com/nk2vKvHuaL

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2018

I’ll be the first to admit I DIED laughing.

You know who DIDN’T think it was funny?

HBO.

HBO responds to Trump’s “Game of Thrones” tweet: We “would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.” https://t.co/XouiRdBV2L

— CNBC (@CNBC) November 2, 2018

MORE: HBO responded to President Trump’s meme in this statement #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/VZMi5PhytW

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) November 2, 2018

They can “prefer” that all you want. They have absolutely no legal standing here. Using a similar font and phrase isn’t a trademark infringement.

AAANYWAY. A couple of those who remembered what HBO has been up to raised a fair point:

They had Bush’s head on a spike in one of the early episodes. This “political purposes” thing rings hollow.

— Washington “Dr. J” Irving (@ThurstonDana) November 2, 2018

Says the network and show that authorized the use of a decapitated President George W. Bush head during an episode. https://t.co/LNj6e78JNg

— ChuckGregory (@TheChuckGregory) November 2, 2018

RIIIIIGHT.

So I wonder how mad they would have been if Obama “misappropriated their trademark for political purposes.”