Television network HBO has fired back at US President Donald Trump after he sent another “Game of Thrones” inspired tweet in response to the release of a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report on the Russia investigation.
“Though we can understand the enthusiasm for ‘Game ofThrones’ now that the final season has arrived, we still prefer ourintellectual property not be used for political purposes,” variety.comquoted an HBO spokesman as saying.
Trump tweeted a “Game of Thrones” influenced imageon Thursday morning using the show’s signature font (Trajan Pro) that includedthe tagline, “No collusion. No obstruction. For the haters and the radicalleft Democrats — Game Over.”
This came as Attorney General William Barr held a pressconference stressing that Mueller did not find evidence of illegal collusionbetween Trump’s campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election.
While Trump went on to use the “Game of Thrones”twist, the same was done in India amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election season.The Election Commission, Press Information Bureau and Congress picked popularreferences from the fantasy series to connect with the people and express theirviews.
Last November, HBO had opposed Trump’s decision to play on a”Game of Thrones” catchphrase using the same serif typeface.
“We were not aware of this messaging and would preferour trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes,” HBO had saidin a statement then, when Trump tweeted “Sanctions Are Coming” — aplay on “Winter Is Coming” from “Game of Thrones”.
“We didn’t want to pick a fight with thepresident,” HBO’s executive Vice President and head of marketing ChrisSpadaccini said during Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit in March thisyear.
“I gave my social team a lot credit because they had avery snarky little subtweet that said, ‘How do you say trademark infringementin Dothraki?’ And that got a lot of press coverage.”