Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Duke University has voiced disapproval of the HBO hit series, “The White Lotus,” asserting the show “overstepped” boundaries with the depiction of its renowned royal-blue logo in a recent episode, as reported by Bloomberg.
In an official statement, the university conveyed that “The White Lotus” utilized its logo without authorization in “disturbing” visuals. These images have subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms, casting the Duke University brand in an unfavorable manner.
Controversial Scene Depicts Duke Logo
The remarks from Duke University pertain to episode five of “The White Lotus,” which premiered on March 16. The episode (spoiler alert) portrays the character Timothy Ratliff, portrayed by actor Jason Isaac, considering suicide while adorned in a t-shirt displaying the Duke insignia.
Meme Amplifies Pressure Amid Sweet 16 Appearance
A meme, now rapidly circulating online, features Ratliff, a character in the dark comedy and a self-proclaimed Duke alumnus, with a gun to his head. This image has intensified pressure on Duke University as the Blue Devils men’s and women’s basketball teams are set to compete in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament this week.
Social Media Reacts with Memes
On X, a user commented, accompanied by the meme, “The White Lotus just gifted us an all-time meme for any early Duke tournament loss (and for every painful Duke defeat afterward).” This highlights the meme’s potential to become a recurring symbol of Duke basketball setbacks.
Another user, referencing Duke University’s primary rival, North Carolina, added, “My cousin, a devoted Tar Heel supporter, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to deploy this meme during the tournament.” The No. 1 seed Duke men’s team is slated to play Arizona, the No. 4 seed, on Thursday evening. In parallel, the No. 2 seeded women’s team will compete against their rivals, the No. 3 seed North Carolina Tar Heels, on Friday. The timing of the controversy coincides with Duke’s prominent participation in the NCAA Tournament, intensifying the situation.
Duke University Responds
Frank Tramble, Duke University’s Vice President for Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, stated, “The White Lotus not only employs our brand without consent, but in our estimation, it utilizes it in visuals that are disturbing, misrepresent our values and identity, and unequivocally ‘goes too far’.”
Tramble added, “Suicide ranks as the second-highest cause of mortality on college campuses. As imagery from the program gains widespread traction across social media, we are leveraging our brand to champion mental health awareness and remind individuals that support resources are accessible.”
Within the third season of “The White Lotus,” set in a lavish hotel in Thailand where the family is vacationing, Ratliff’s suicidal contemplation stems from his involvement in a money laundering operation and subsequent FBI investigation. This narrative context aims to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the character’s motivations within the series.
Tramble further elaborated, “Duke University values artistic expression and imaginative storytelling. However, the conspicuous display of apparel featuring Duke’s federally registered trademarks on characters generates ambiguity and erroneously implies an endorsement or association where none is present.” This statement clarifies Duke’s perspective on the unauthorized use of their trademarks.
Bloomberg’s report did not specify whether Duke University has initiated any formal action against Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO. The question of potential legal or administrative responses from Duke remains unanswered.
Character Background and Series Broadcast
In “The White Lotus,” Ratliff’s wife, Victoria Ratliff (portrayed by actress Parker Posey), is depicted as an exceedingly proud North Carolina alumna, while their son, Saxon (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger), is a recent Duke graduate. Their daughter (Sarah Catherine Hook) is a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The White Lotus” is broadcast on Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.