The long-standing adage that only death and taxes are certain receives fresh treatment in a cartoon depicting an IRS outpost operating in hell. No specific policy change or ruling prompted the piece, which instead plays on the enduring public frustration with tax collection as an inescapable force. The editorial stance pokes at bureaucratic persistence, suggesting the tax man follows citizens beyond the grave with the same relentless efficiency seen in life.
The cartoon depicts a dense crowd of Americans standing on a map of the United States, partially obscured by a large dark shadow cast by surveillance cameras mounted on poles. The words 'Surveillance State' appear prominently in green lettering across the scene, while a sign in the upper right reads 'CASTING A 25 YEAR-LONG SHADOW.' The image comments on the lasting effects of expanded government surveillance programs that began after the September 11 attacks, now spanning a quarter century. It illustrates how these measures continue to influence daily life and public spaces in 2026.
Real estate developer Harlan Crow has provided Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with luxury trips and millions in undisclosed gifts that violate ethics rules. Thomas has participated in rulings benefiting Crow. Crow also collects Nazi memorabilia including Hitler paintings and a signed copy of Mein Kampf. The cartoon extends the pattern to a 2024 portrait of Donald Trump. It criticizes the intersection of wealthy donor influence and judicial decisions.
In mid-2026, efforts to sideline Donald Trump from political relevance continued through legal and electoral channels following prior election cycles. Allies and opponents alike maneuvered to limit his influence within the Republican Party and broader national discourse. The piece frames these actions as an attempt to consign Trump to political irrelevance, portraying the effort as a collective push by figures in his orbit.
Donald Trump has maintained vocal opposition to certain vaccine mandates and public health measures in recent political discourse. The piece frames this stance through an infant metaphor to underscore perceived vulnerability and fear. It critiques the position as immature amid ongoing public health debates.
High gas prices remain a flashpoint in 2026 with pumps displaying figures above four dollars. Trump is shown collecting direct profits from the self-serve lane while a driver idles at full serve. The piece argues that the former president benefits personally from elevated energy costs rather than working to lower them for consumers.
A panhandler in an urban setting displays a sign announcing three convenient locations, mimicking retail chain expansion. The image highlights the persistence of street begging amid city life. The piece uses the visual metaphor to comment on how panhandlers adapt their methods in response to ongoing urban challenges with homelessness and public solicitation.
The Gordie Howe Bridge between Canada and the United States is set to open, allowing truck traffic across the border. The cartoon shows a toll booth attendant calling out to a large green troll figure positioned beneath the structure, with dollar bills and coins scattered on the ground. The troll wears a red cap with an American flag emblem and extends a clawed hand toward the money. A speech bubble from the booth reads TOLL while a label points to the creature as TROLL. The scene plays on the classic fairy tale motif of a troll under a bridge collecting payment from those who cross.
Zapiro's June 2026 cartoon shows an e-troll fleeing a Johannesburg toll plaza with a sack of cash while a grandmother reads the tale to children. The image references ongoing disputes over Gauteng's electronic toll system and missing revenue. The upper panel depicts the toll gantry and city skyline with the troll escaping. The lower panel shows the domestic bedtime scene with the book titled Joburg Tales. The cartoon uses a children's story format to highlight public frustration with the toll collection process.
Pat Bagley's political cartoon titled Trump Legacy presents a series of imagined monuments that highlight controversial aspects through labels like End-Your-Civilization Peace Prize on a medal showing a figure with Trump's hairstyle, the Liar-in-Chief Ballroom resembling a grand building with Trump flag, the Taco Triumphal Arch as a stone structure with winged T, and the Pussy-Grabber Library and Epstein Memorial Playland as a classical edifice with a statue. These elements, tagged with arch, MAGA, triumphal, ballroom, peace prize, library, Epstein, use dry humor to comment on themes of liar, Republicans, fascism without adding unseen context. The composition clusters these items in a sketch style, emphasizing bold text and simple lines for impact.
