"HBO isn’t too happy about President Donald Trump using its TV series, “Game of Thrones” (GOT), imagery to “promote sanctions against Iran”.
In a statement to CNBC, the network said: “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.”
The network was referring to a tweet put out by the President of himself, in what looks like a movie-style poster that takes creative inspiration from GOT, to announce the re-imposition of sanctions against Iran.
Trump tweeted a photo of himself with the words "Sanctions are Coming" on 2 November.
While Trump’s tweet didn’t quite clear which “sanctions” he was referring to, The White House in a series of later tweets clarified by saying: “President Donald Trump is reimposing all sanctions lifted under the unacceptable Iran deal. The US is reimposing the toughest sanctions ever on Iran, targeting many of the corrupt regime’s critical sectors.”
The US sanctions on Iran had been lifted under a 2015 international nuclear pact, but they are being reimposed on Monday, 5 November.
It's the second batch of penalties that the administration has reimposed since Trump, a former reality TV star, withdrew from the landmark deal in May.
‘How Do You Say Trademark Misuse in Dothraki?’: HBO
Trump’s usage of the GOT imagery for his own personal propaganda, is a gross misuse of the former, the network told CNBC.
However, when asked by CNBC whether they planned on taking any legal action against the President’s "trademark misuse”, network spokesman Jeff Cusson said that there were "no further steps."
Instead it resorted to Twitter, to take a dig at the President, by asking: “How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?”
GOT Stars React to Trump’s Poster
Several of GOT’s cast members also took to the social platform to react to the US President’s tweet.
Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark on the show, retweeted the Trump poster with the comment: “Not today”.
Sophie Turner, who plays Arya’s older sister, ‘Sansa Stark’ on the series, had a simpler response to the poster.
Trump isn’t the only politician to use popular GOT imagery and references to make a political statement. According to a report by Business Insider, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had once compared herself to the loved and hated Cersei Lannister, in her memoir, "What Happened."
(With inputs from CNBC)
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