Update: HBO has told TMZ: “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.”
President Donald Trump and his band of enablers are well aware that a so-called blue wave could come on Election Day next Tuesday, no matter how many voter suppression tactics that the GOP can manage to pull off. And now, as if exploiting a caravan of poor, scared migrants making their way up through South America to seek asylum in the United States wasn’t bad enough, Trump is trying to ruin Game of Thrones, as well.
On Friday, the president tweeted a photo of himself with the Game of Thrones font superimposed over it, proclaiming “SANCTIONS ARE COMING, November 5,” as a play off the “Winter is Coming” tagline from the popular HBO series.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2018
Trump was, of course, referring to reimposing sanctions against Iran that had been lifted as part of an Obama-era nuclear agreement.
“On November 5th, the United States will reimpose sanctions that were lifted as part of the nuclear deal on Iran’s energy, shipbuilding, shipping, and banking sectors,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN during a call with reporters on Friday. The move, which is conveniently set to take place one day before midterm elections, is the Trump administration’s latest affront to Tehran after leaving the Iran nuclear deal in May.
But still, did he have to come for Game of Thrones, though? And in the absolute tackiest way possible? Twitter naturally had some thoughts:
i'm starting to question whether we are a grown-up, adult country https://t.co/vsnJjev3d2
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/TechnicallyRon/status/1058392606319755264
Joffrey grew up. https://t.co/hpL8fjze0j
— Samantha Bee (@realsambee) November 2, 2018
there is literally a character called "the mad king" but ok https://t.co/jOe8Pv5CuI
— David Mack (@davidmackau) November 2, 2018
it’s cool that the president’s squishy brain functions 100% on tv
— america's lounge singer (@KrangTNelson) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Susan_Hennessey/status/1058395168385220608
The President of the United States just threatened sanctions on foreign countries using a Game of Thrones meme. https://t.co/BA8cZwous0
— Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/WiseWarrior69/status/1058396401216872448
Trump's followers don't watch Game of Thrones. They are more of a Honey Boo Boo crowd.
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) November 2, 2018
One flew over the cuckoos nest. Now in theaters and news broadcasts… https://t.co/YgOVVf9yFf
— Felix Huesmann (@felixhuesmann) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/libbycwatson/status/1058389989430607873
Why'd you have to go & ruin GOT. This is why we can't have nice things. https://t.co/ZkESbL7szk
— 🌻 Emily Brandwin 🌻 (@CIAspygirl) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/KylieVxx/status/1058399304551936000
Even the Stark sister themselves, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner weighed in:
Not today. https://t.co/Jg51mGHPO1
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/SophieT/status/1058415804641767424
There seems to be no low that Trump won’t stoop to. Not even Jon Snow and Daenerys are safe from this nonsense.