Dave Whamond's cartoon titled 'The Man who would be king' captures a caricatured Donald Trump donned in regal themes, complete with crown and red robe, wielding a scepter. A subservient, bald figure with pointy ears bows and praises the 'Great Halloween Costume, Boss!' while Trump retorts 'What Halloween Costume?' The image tags highlight themes of No Kings, Trump wants kinglike powers, and concerns over constitution and democracy. It satirizes ideas of president transitioning government into a monarchy, with elements of shutdown, taking control, and totalitarian state. The humor lies in Trump playing dress up yet denying it's a costume, symbolizing real aspirations for kinglike authority.
The cartoon displays three altered government posters under the heading Updated Government Posters. The left panel shows the familiar see something say something message above a note that no one remains to answer calls. The center panel depicts Smokey Bear gripping a chainsaw with text stating only you can prevent forest fires and literally we let everyone else go. The right panel shows Uncle Sam pointing forward while instructing viewers to submit lists of five accomplishments or face termination. These images respond to the February 2025 DOGE initiative led by Elon Musk and the Trump administration that directed agencies including the FBI, CDC, FDA, National Park Service, and USAID to reduce staff and submit productivity reports.
A political cartoon dated February 2, 2025, depicts the U.S. Capitol in ruins with broken pillars labeled 'PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY.' Two onlookers stand amid debris as one asks if egg prices have dropped. The image references ongoing debates over inflation, tariffs, and government changes following the 2024 election. Artist Dave Whamond uses destruction to highlight perceived costs of recent political decisions.
A political cartoon published August 19, 2020, depicts a figure resembling President Donald Trump standing beside a disassembled USPS mail truck outside a building labeled GOP Tune-Up Service. The truck's engine lies on the ground amid scattered parts and a bag marked mail-in ballots. Trump holds a wrench and states the vehicle will be back up and running in no time while another speech bubble shows a chuckle. The image comments on Republican efforts to alter postal operations ahead of expanded mail voting in the presidential election.
