After a Duke T-shirt was on The White Lotus, a university spokesperson released a statement about how the show went “too far.”
Duke University’s Portrayal On The White Lotus
The White Lotus is known for its risqué and disturbing storylines.
During the last episode, Jason Isaacs, who plays Timothy Ratliff, begins to feel the pressure for his financial wrongdoings.
Timothy finds himself caught up in a financial scandal that will result in jail time once he returns from Thailand to the United States.
At one point, Timothy contemplates suicide by pointing a gun at his head.
Timothy does this all while wearing a t-shirt for Duke, his alma mater.
Timothy’s son, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), also attended Duke.
Saxon, who works with his father, is a toxic male with little respect for others. Saxon also participated in a disturbing sexual act with his brother and another woman.
Duke University’s Statement
Duke is getting dunked on — by "The White Lotus" https://t.co/ItDe4LqaCr
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) March 26, 2025
Unsurprisingly, Duke University wants nothing to do with the show.
Frank Tramble, the vice president for communications, marketing, and public affairs at Duke, relayed the school’s disappointment in its portrayal on the show.
“Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling, but characters’ prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists,” Tramble said in an email to the New York Times.
Tramble continued, “Not only uses our brand without permission, but in our view uses it on imagery that is troubling, does not reflect our values or who we are, and simply goes too far.”
Duke University will turn its attention toward basketball as the men’s and women’s programs are in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
