The cartoon by Graeme MacKay contrasts Theodore Roosevelt's famous speak softly and carry a big stick approach with Donald Trump's version of yelling loudly and spinning a stick covered in tariffs. In the lower panel Trump appears dizzy from the motion as a Canadian hand offers toilet tissue labeled tariff-free wipes. The image comments on recent US tariff actions and their impact on Canadian trade relations as of the September 2026 publication date.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon depicts King Charles III leaning in to whisper a message from King George III to a regally dressed President Trump, who misinterprets it due to the accent. Tagged with USA, Canada, UK, the image explores monarchy, diplomacy, and alliance themes. Trump's crown labeled with his name adds symbolism of self-aggrandizement, while the 'Trump Whisperer' caption underscores the tension in this leadership encounter. Historical nods to tradition and stability contrast with modern visit dynamics, blending respect and satire in a visually striking composition.
Graeme MacKay\'s cartoon depicts Donald Trump absorbed in unveiling a golden Arc de Trump, a parody of the Arc de Triomphe, topped with his own figure and cherubs, while ignoring flying papers labeled with crises like ICE crisis, Ukraine quagmire, Strait of Hormuz quagmire, and cost of living crisis. The monument includes busts of Don Jr, Ivanka, MAGA, and Jared, emphasizing Trump\'s priorities on vanity over urgent matters. A hand unveils blueprints for Donald J. Trump Arc de Victoire, highlighting the satire on legacy obsession amid global quagmires. The dry humor underscores how such self-focus distracts from real-world affordability and international issues, a common theme in editorial cartoons critiquing political figures.
Graeme MacKay's political cartoon captures Trump, caricatured with crown of thorns hair, sitting on a bomb labeled USA with a skull symbol, holding a phone and declaring 'Leo: Terrible and Weak' in a speech bubble. Smoke rises from the missile, contrasting sharply with the Pope on the right, halo glowing, releasing white doves carrying olive branches. The scene unfolds against a cloudy sky, highlighting themes of war and peace. This satirical illustration pokes at political rhetoric, religious symbolism, and international tensions, blending humor with critique in a style that's both direct and pointed.
This political cartoon splits into two scenes: top shows astronauts in orange suits, one with NASA patch and another with Canadian flag, waving and exclaiming 'IT'S A PARADE! HOW MARVELLOUS!' as they march from a crashed, smoking NASA capsule in water on a sandy surface. Below, a group carries a regal throne with a crowned figure wearing a T medal, surrounded by confetti and banners reading 'MASSIVE' and 'VICTORY'. In the background, smoke rises from a fractured globe labeled 'Iran' and 'Iraq'. The artwork, signed by MacKay for The Hamilton Spectator, uses humor to juxtapose apparent failure with proclaimed triumph, featuring waving figures and stern expressions in a sandy landscape.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon shows a group of green aliens on the moon, clearly annoyed by the approaching NASA Artemis II spacecraft emerging from blackout. The aliens, depicted with headphones, phones, and drinks, make noisy exclamations like 'Yak Yak Yak' and music notes, while a sign pleads 'Kindly Respect Lunar Silence.' One alien laments, 'So much for the peace and quiet zone!' against the backdrop of Earth. This piece satirizes space exploration's impact on supposed lunar solitude, touching on tags like Artemis, moon, NASA, aliens, quiet zone, and communication. The far side setting emphasizes the interruption of silence by human astronauts.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon parodies Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, with Auston Matthews as the reaching figure in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey marked 34 and Team USA medal, extending toward Wayne Gretzky in a suit with Kings 99 pin. Above Gretzky floats a MAGA banner alongside caricatures of Donald Trump and Kash Patel. Below, Brady Tkachuk in jersey 7 falls away with a medal. The title 'The Creation of Auston' underscores themes of Hockey, Politics, Identity, Allegiance, and Legacy, blending Sports with satirical commentary on American ties in Canadian icons.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon captures a state visit dinner scene with figures at a table adorned with candelabras, where a caricature resembling Donald Trump boasts about unique accomplishments. The lower panel shifts to a United Nations setting with a banner reading 'Recognizing Palestinian Statehood,' showing delegates toasting, while outside, Trump and another figure, addressed as Bibi, dismiss the event as meaningless symbolism. Incorporating tags like Allies, Palestine, United Nations, Statehood, Recognition, and Peace, the artwork highlights contrasts in diplomatic perceptions. The composition uses split panels to juxtapose formal pomp with cynical realpolitik, emphasizing themes of symbolic gestures versus substantive policy in the Israel-Gaza conflict context.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon depicts a stage parody of American Idol called Trump Idol, where a crowned Donald Trump judges world leaders performing acts related to reciprocal tariffs. A figure resembling Mark Carney bows in a top hat, having performed a disappearing act on tariffs, while a kangaroo-costumed character waits, labeled as Australia's Anthony Albanese. A Statue of Liberty figure holds a sign for E Macron France, and a box reads Carney The Great with a Canadian flag. The scene satirizes trade, diplomacy, economy, trust, and international relationships under Trump's strategy, with a bald advisor announcing the next act to 'Your Majesty.' The backdrop emphasizes reciprocal tariffs, blending protest and boycott themes in a humorous critique of USMCA and global partnerships.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon reimagines Aesop's fable as 'The POTUS Who Cried TARIFF,' with Donald Trump's exaggerated face shouting on a fiery book cover. Representatives from USA, Mexico, and Canada sit at a table, showing exasperation with speech bubbles like 'Good Grief not him again!' and 'Ugh Repeat flare-up?' The tags USA, Mexico, Canada, trade, diplomacy, tariff, Donald Trump, USMCA, NAFTA, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Aesop, and fable underscore the satire on repeat threats becoming ineffective. This visual pokes at how constant warnings lose impact in international relations.
On February 2 2025 President Donald Trump announced new tariffs targeting Canadian and Mexican imports. The move immediately raised concerns in Ottawa about economic fallout and strained relations with close neighbors. Cartoonist Graeme MacKay depicts the three nations as floors in one shaky house with Trump fanning flames from below while Canadians react in alarm above.
