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Drawing Trump, Xi Jinping, Vintage

Drawing Trump, Xi Jinping, Vintage

And why

Liza Donnelly's avatar
Liza Donnelly
Mar 20, 2023
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Seeing Things
Seeing Things
Drawing Trump, Xi Jinping, Vintage
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Drawn during the pandemic when stuff started happening to indict Trump

Two things are on my mind this morning. Trump’s unpcoming arrest and China getting into bed with Russia, from all appearances.

Will we see Trump being led out of Mara Lago? Will his supporters really gather to protest in any great numbers? There will be some, it’s just how many. As one journalist tweeted, Trump is calling for Civil War so he doesn’t have to go to jail. There may be a drawing in that notion.

I look at those two topics and wonder what kind of cartoon could be drawn. The words “getting into bed” are always good and I will play with those today. Does China really think we believe this trip to Russia is a peace-keeping mission? I would like to think positively, but my feeling is Xi Jinping has other motivations.

As for Trump: wouldn’t it be great if his attitude toward women is what brings him down? Although anything is fine with me. Here are some older drawings.

Drawn after the Billy Bush Bus tapes
Drawn during the 2016 campagn

I never really draw traditional political cartoons, as they are usually defined. Rather I do drawings that are inspired by the news, and if the news warrants it, are specifically about the event. Like a mass shooting or abortion or women’s rights or an assasination or something.

It’s not clear to me what rises to a drawing, but I always am on alert. Since I am not an on-staff editorial cartoonist for a newspaper, there really are no outlets for selling your work as an editorial cartoonist. The New Yorker doesn’t publish many political cartoon drawings anymore inside the magazine. I used to sell a fair amount to them.

But I send any political drawings to The New Yorker, and if they don’t want it, you guys get it! Today, I publish one behind the paywall below as an example, which I will send in for The New Yorker’s Daily Cartoon for consideration.

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While not political, I drew this a few weeks ago after learning about a very fancy destination restaurant in Europe, Noma, had closed.

And this one, after reading an article about what’s vintage. Every generation goes through this.

Below is one that was drawn right after Roe V Wade was struck down. The problem with this drawing, while effective the week of the event, however when seen today without context, it is not clear why Lady Liberty is crestfallen. I should give it a title.

The week Roe V Wad was struck down

Thanks for being here! More tomorrow.

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