HBO, producer of TV phenomenon Game of Thrones, is unhappy with US President Donald Trump over a Game of Thrones inspired tweet.
On Friday, the White House revealed that all sanctions lifted under the Iran nuclear deal would be reimposed on November 5.
The Trump administration says the sanctions – which target Iran’s energy, shipping, shipbuilding and financial sectors – will cut off revenues used to bankroll terrorism.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2018
As the measures were announced, Trump tweeted an image of himself via his personal Twitter account, emblazoned with the words, ‘Sanctions are Coming’ above the date November 5.
Both the typeface and format is similar in style to HBO’s Game of Thrones, while the words paraphrase the show’s oft-quoted phrase, ‘Winter is Coming’.
HBO wasn’t impressed by the clear references to the show, which is filmed in part in Northern Ireland.
“We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes,” said the network.
They also tweeted their disapproval, hinting at repercussions from the Dothraki, a race of warriors from the hit show.
How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?
— HBO (@HBO) November 2, 2018
While the threat of Dothraki revenge may be tongue-in-cheek, the threat of action over ‘trademark misuse’ most likely wasn’t.
Nor were HBO the only ones to reply to Trump’s Game of Thrones ‘homage’, with Twitter reacting with Thrones tweets of their own.
How do you say Reek in Russian?
— Rufus Sewell (@FredrikSewell) November 2, 2018
@realDonaldTrump #Vote pic.twitter.com/IZe7KwQQvk
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) November 2, 2018
There's no cure for being Trump!
— Spinooza 🇮🇷 (@Spinooza) November 2, 2018
— The Playlist 🎬 (@ThePlaylist) November 2, 2018
— cgshort (@cgshort) November 2, 2018
#JonSnow won’t be happy. pic.twitter.com/ptj9gJVJ4E
— Tia Ⓜ️ (@TheTiaMari_Oz) November 2, 2018
— Persian Rose (@PersianRose1) November 2, 2018
Commander of #Iran Revolutionary Guards Qassem Soleimany hits back at Trump with his own meme from the Game of Thrones. pic.twitter.com/dRHJ67z7oM
— Negar (@NegarMortazavi) 2 November 2018
About the same probability... pic.twitter.com/YGsiizQeEG
— James Parkley (@jnarls) November 2, 2018
Trump’s treatment of economic sanctions like they’re an episode of Game of Thrones is pretty revealing.
This is all a game for him. https://t.co/J35scyBBZA
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) 2 November 2018
Guess who’s not out tweeting Game of Throne memes this morning? pic.twitter.com/5zggFGHY8g
— James Parkley (@jnarls) 2 November 2018
