Duke University Criticizes The White Lotus For Unauthorized Use Of School Logo On Shirt

HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has once again sparked controversy—this time with Duke University. The school has publicly criticized the show for prominently using its iconic royal blue logo in what it calls a disturbing image.

Duke’s Logo Appears In Controversial Scene

In episode 5 of The White Lotus  which aired on March 16, Jason Isaacs’ character Timothy Ratliff is depicted wearing a Duke shirt while contemplating suicide in a dream sequence. The disturbing moment has since gone viral, sparking debate on social media. The image of Ratliff holding a gun to his temple quickly became a meme, especially among sports fans. As Duke’s men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare for the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, rival fans have embraced the meme as a form of slur. Some have joked about keeping it for potential Duke losses, adding a layer of surprise to the controversy.

Duke’s Response: The Show Went Too Far

Duke University was quick to condemn the footage. Frank Tramble, the school’s vice president for communications, marketing and public relations, issued a statement condemning the program’s use of the university’s trademark without permission. Not only did The White Lotus use our brand without permission, but in our view, it used it on disturbing imagery that did not reflect our values ​​or who we are, and simply went too far.” — Frank Tramble

Tramble also highlighted the serious issue of mental health, noting that suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses. He expressed concern about the widespread sharing of the footage and reiterated the university’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness.

Legal And Ethical Implications

While Duke has made its stance clear, it remains uncertain whether the university will take legal action against Warner Bros., which owns HBO. The unauthorized use of logos and trademarks in communications has long been a contentious issue. While artistic expression is protected under the First Amendment, organizations often push back when they feel their brand is being misrepresented.

Duke’s argument hinges on the idea that the show’s representation could be misleading and suggest an affiliation or endorsement where none exists. With the Duke logo prominently featured in the shot, the university has grounds to assert its rights—though whether this will result in legal action remains to be seen.

Social Media Reaction

Unsurprisingly, social media users had a field day with the controversy. Some Duke supporters expressed their dismay at the representation, while rival fans—particularly those from the University of North Carolina—picked up on the meme. Now, “The White Lotus” continues to dominate pop culture discussions, and Duke finds itself in the midst of an unexpected controversy. Whether the university takes further action or simply uses the moment to bolster its mental health initiatives, one thing is clear: this controversy isn’t going away anytime soon.