Duke University Criticizes HBO's 'The White Lotus' for Logo Use in Controversial Scene

The university condemned the unauthorized use of its branding in a scene depicting a character contemplating suicide, leveraging the incident to promote mental health awareness.

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.