Overview

• Duke University has publicly denounced HBO's 'The White Lotus' for featuring its logo on a T-shirt worn by a character during a scene involving suicidal ideation.
• The university expressed concerns about brand misuse, stating the depiction could create confusion about an endorsement or affiliation.
• Duke highlighted the sensitivity of suicide imagery, noting its prevalence as the second-leading cause of death on college campuses, and used the opportunity to advocate for mental health resources.
• The scene has gone viral on social media, particularly during NCAA March Madness, with the imagery becoming a widely shared meme.
• Legal experts suggest Duke has limited options for recourse due to First Amendment protections for artistic expression, while HBO has declined to comment.