Saturday, January 04, 2025

Reaction to Telnaes quitting WaPo

Updates as they come in, marked *

Ann Telnaes Quits The Washington Post

D. D. Degg January 3, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/01/03/ann-telnaes-quits-the-washington-post/

CSotD: Telnaes is only unemployed, not gone

Mike Peterson January 4, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/01/04/csotd-telnaes-is-only-unemployed-not-gone/

For the record, the NYT fired its international cartoonist after a controversial cartoon, and has no cartoonists regularly appearing:

Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed

The cartoon, by Ann Telnaes, depicted the owner of The Post, Jeff Bezos, and other billionaires genuflecting toward a statue of President-elect Donald Trump.

By Benjamin Mullin

Jan. 3, 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/business/media/washington-post-cartoonist-quits-after-jeff-bezos-cartoon-is-killed.html

Reactions from other editorial cartoonists:

Bezo's Sacrifice

Clay Jones

https://claytoonz.com/2025/01/04/bezos-sacrifice/

Subscribe to Clay's Substack to read his excellent blog on this as well.

Bury the Press at Bended Knee: Reality Bites at The Post.
Steve Brodner
The Greater Quiet Jan 04, 2025
https://stevebrodner.substack.com/p/bury-the-press-at-bended-knee

From Keith Knight's newsletter: "Bravo to her for walking away from the Washington Post. She deserves everyone's support and admiration."

*Will tech platforms or craven publishers kill satire?

Mark Fiore

Jan 4

https://markfiore.substack.com/p/will-tech-platforms-or-craven-publishers

These stories have mostly the same content, and presented for the record:

Washington Post Cartoonist Ann Telnaes Quits After Bezos-Owned Paper Kills Trump Satire Piece

"Trying to get in the good graces of an autocrat-in-waiting will only result in undermining that free press," the Pulitzer Prize winner says of her former employer

Tess Patton

January 3, 2025

https://www.thewrap.com/washington-post-cartoonist-quits-after-bezos-trump-satire-killed/

Washington Post cartoonist resigns over paper's refusal to publish cartoon critical of Jeff Bezos

Pulitzer prize winner Ann Telnaes drew a cartoon of the paper's owner kneeling before Donald Trump

Ramon Antonio Vargas

Sat 4 Jan 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jan/04/washington-post-cartoonist-resigns-jeff-bezos

Washington Post cartoonist quits after paper pulls her cartoon depicting Post owner Bezos groveling to Trump

Cartoonist accused paper of squashing her drawing because it slammed Bezos, though the Post denied that was the motivation

By Gabriel Hays Fox News

January 4, 2025

https://www.foxnews.com/media/washington-post-cartoonist-quits-after-paper-pulls-her-cartoon-depicting-post-owner-bezos-groveling-trump

Washington Post cartoonist resigns over paper's refusal to publish satirical cartoon of Bezos and Trump

Washington Post cartoonist says editors axed cartoon depicting Trump, Bezos

by Sophia Vento - 01/04/25
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5067162-washington-post-cartoon-jeff-bezos-donald-trump/

Washington Post cartoonist quits after cartoon satirizing Jeff Bezos is rejected

"I've never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at," Ann Telnaes wrote. "Until now."

By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

01/04/2025

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/04/post-cartoonist-quits-bezos-00196483

Jan. 5th updates:

Here's Sunday's updates. The NPR story has actual quotes from interviewing Ann:

*A Pulitzer winner quits 'Washington Post' after a cartoon on Bezos is killed
AYESHA RASCOE and David Folkenflik
Weekend Edition Sunday January 4, 2025
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/04/nx-s1-5248299/cartoonist-quits-wapo-over-bezos-trump-cartoon-washingtonpost
https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/wesun/2025/01/20250105_wesun_washington_post_cartoonist_resigns_over_her_cartoon_critical_of_jeff_bezos.mp3
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5248299

*Ann Telnaes, the Washington Post, and a childhood dream that still lives
About Ann Telnaes resigning from the Washington Post over a spiked cartoon
Darrin Bell
Darrin Bell's Disobey in Advance Jan 5 2025
https://darrinbell.substack.com/p/ann-telnaes-the-washington-post-and

*Hello darkness, my old friend: the Ann Telnaes resignation and the late, formerly great Washington Post
What a travesty.
Jack Ohman’s You Betcha!
Jan 4 2025
https://jackohman.substack.com/p/hello-darkness-my-old-friend-the

*Democracy Dies Like This
Nick Anderson
Pen Strokes
Jan 4 2025
https://nickanderson.substack.com/p/democracy-dies-like-this

*Silencing the Court Jesters.

10 years ago cartoonists were murdered for drawing offensive things. Things have not been getting better.

Jason Chatfield

Jan 5 2025

https://www.newyorkcartoons.com/p/silencing-the-court-jesters

*All the President's men
A cartoon in support of Ann Telnaes
Michael de Adder
THE deEP STATE Jan 5 2025 https://deadder.substack.com/p/all-the-presidents-men

*Chris Britt for January 04, 2025

https://www.gocomics.com/chrisbritt/2025/01/04

*In Solidarity with Ann Telnaes by Daniel Boris

https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2025/01/in-solidarity-with-ann-telnaes-by.html

Jan. 6th updates:

Cartoonists:

Anne has written another newsletter, and shows cartoons from Barry Blitt, Steve Brodner, Dave Whamond, and Emma Cook.

With gratitude: I am overwhelmed by the response
Ann Telnaes
Open Windows Jan 6 2025
https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/with-gratitude

DD Degg and Mike Peterson have continued to cover the story at the Daily Cartoonist, and many of these links are from them.

Ann Telnaes, The Washington Post, and The Streisand Effect
D. D. Degg January 5, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/01/05/ann-telnaes-the-washington-post-and-the-streisand-effect/

*Chris Britt again on January 4th.

https://www.facebook.com/100006312761207/posts/3879593668927687/?rdid=tmQMVA1pypXLpYCp

*Barry Blitt's Post on January 4th.

https://www.facebook.com/barryblitt/posts/pfbid0EbYswgJyuwDw6QJnTpAmn5vpisJVh2XZRuBBDvz2s6f6y95RfFLEU7mpaXMuqrRgl

*James Mellor

https://x.com/JamesDFMellor/status/1875496955922804812?mx=2

Three cartoons by Ted Littleford on Facebook
1, https://www.facebook.com/edward.littleford.7/posts/pfbid02PvU3WGcYhJ8Jnh1s5rDHB8kX3ZozE94wREBAiSEwwxKP4kygUyupvV9ChDjTwwPGl
2. https://www.facebook.com/edward.littleford.7/posts/pfbid02pckvRVbt6sGKSbxVPQtxCEdZvYswiYfYbvERr1P72RsNxMFLgxtbRvDJm9TyGfj4l
3. https://www.facebook.com/edward.littleford.7/posts/pfbid02Mdn2qGFUZmFNwM4havamHuH772RaCHMXa7jT35Msq7QVZFpTdxEPFJ9gQpRshrWRl

*Billionaires Bow to Altar of Trump
Dave Whamond Jan 6, 2025
https://www.truthdig.com/cartoons/billionaires-bow-to-altar-of-trump/

*KAL

https://www.facebook.com/1041106336/posts/10232515130994383/?rdid=4eJCMj0Dmj1Ejy5I

*Political Cartoonist Quashed For Expressing Political Views: More Than Democracy Dies in Darkness
by Rick Marschall
Yesterday's Papers January 4, 2025
http://john-adcock.blogspot.com/2025/01/political-cartoonist-quashed-for.html

*Lalo Alcaraz

https://www.gocomics.com/laloalcaraz/2025/01/06

*Barbara Dale and Joe Sutliff sent cartoons directly to me.

*Washington Post Kills a Cartoon, Cartoonist Resigns, Good for Her
     Daryl Cagle
    January 6, 2025
    https://darylcagle.com/2025/01/06/perhaps-one-resignation-is-worth-a-thousand-cartoons-too-bad-you-can-only-resign-once/

Institutions:

*Political cartoons are on the brink of extinction (and how you can help to prevent this)
Tjeerd Royaards, editor of Cartoon Movement
January 5, 2025
https://blog.cartoonmovement.com/2025/01/political-cartoons-are-on-the-brink-of-extinction-and-how-you-can-help-to-prevent-this.html

It's worth noting that Chappette was fired by the New York Times international edition over someone else's cartoon.

*The Freedom Cartoonists Foundation in Geneva denounces the Washington Post’s spineless decision to drop a cartoon by its world-renowned cartoonist, Ann Telnaes – prompting her immediate departure.

Patrick Chappatte

January 5, 2025

https://freedomcartoonists.com/the-freedom-cartoonists-foundation-in-geneva-denounces-the-washington-posts-spineless-decision-to-drop-a-cartoon-by-its-world-renowned-cartoonist-ann-telnaes-prompting-her-immediate-depar/

*A Statement on Ann Telnaes’ Resignation from the Post
Association of American Editorial Cartoonists January 4, 2025
https://editorialcartoonists.com/a-statement-on-ann-telnaes-resignation-from-the-post/

I respect Mike Peterson a lot, so here's 3 prose commentaries he recommended on The Daily Cartoonist:

*Bowing the Knee. Again.The Wapo's Profile in Uncourage.

Charlie Sykes

To the Contrary Jan 05, 2025

https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/bowing-the-knee-again

*A picture is worth a thousand words and $1 trillion
Steve Schmidt
The Warning with Steve Schmidt Jan 05, 2025
https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-769

*The War on Truth and Reality: The Power Brokers Shaping Reality
Olga Lautman
Jan 05, 2025
https://olgalautman.substack.com/p/the-war-on-truth-and-reality

Jan. 7th updates:

*John Cuneo

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEfeBKJxIVQ/?igsh=MWptMm9wcGxpNzhpbw%3D%3D

*Matt Wuerker

https://www.facebook.com/1015707787/posts/10233063232895741/?rdid=ZJbsT2ubGGmIvivC

Don't you dare call the Kowtowers kowtowers...
(in solidarity with the Washington Post 's former cartoonist Ann Telnaes, who wouldn't kowtow)

*(th)ink: For Ann T.
Keith Knight
The Keef Knight Project Jan 7 2025

https://keithknight.substack.com/p/think-for-ann-t

*Comics journalist Michael Cavna also noted cartoons by

— Richard Bartholomew

— John Buss

— Rod Emerson

— Dennis Goris

— Kevin Necessary

— Steve Stegelin

...and whoops, DD Degg is far ahead of me:

*Dozens of Cartoonists (So Far) Stand With Ann Telnaes
D. D. Degg January 7, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/01/07/dozens-of-cartoonists-so-far-hashtag-stand-with-ann-telnaes/

Here's new pieces though:

*Remember Herblock, the hard-hitting Washington Post cartoonist?
The Post doesn't. Sigh. How soon they forget.
Jack Ohman’s You Betcha! Jan 8 2025
https://jackohman.substack.com/p/remember-herblock-the-hard-hitting

*We Stand With Ann
Cartoonists Unite for Anne Telnaes and the First Amendment
Steve Brodner
The Greater Quiet Jan 8 2025
https://stevebrodner.substack.com/p/we-stand-with-ann

although this one is behind a paywall until Friday...

*ALL THE PRESIDENT'S BILLIONAIRES

Ruben Bolling

TOM THE DANCING BUG 1/7/25

https://www.patreon.com/rubenbolling

as is Clay's commentary on this one...

*Je Suis Censorship
It's been ten years since the murders at Charlie Hebdo
Clay Jones
Claytoonz Jan 7 2025

https://claytoonz.com/2025/01/07/je-suis-censorship/

https://claytoonz.substack.com/p/je-suis-censorship

Anne's latest newsletter shows her frustration with the state of the art:

*10th anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo killings
On January 7, 2015 the editorial cartooning community suffered a horrible blow
Open Windows Jan 7 2025
https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/10th-anniversary-of-the-charlie-hebdo

*Here's some criticism of Post's "guest cartoon" on Facebook, because it amused me.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14v6s3GP3S/

*Jan. 8 2024:

Ann is now charging for her newsletter:

Turn your Open Windows pledge into a subscription

Open Windows now offers paid options! If you want to pay to subscribe to unlock subscriber-only benefits, click or tap here:

A paid subscription gives you access to:

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Post comments and join the community

and has another post of supporting cartoons:

More cartoon renditions: Or should I have used the word "repetition"?
Ann Telnaes
Open Windows Jan 8 2025
https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/more-cartoon-renditions

DD Degg has updated his post with more cartoons.

Dozens of Cartoonists (So Far) Stand With Ann Telnaes – Update
D. D. Degg January 7, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/01/07/dozens-of-cartoonists-so-far-hashtag-stand-with-ann-telnaes/

And here's some others:

Kissing The Ring: A cartoon in solidarity with Ann Telnaes
Jason Chatfield
New York Cartoons Jan 8 2025
https://www.newyorkcartoons.com/p/kissing-the-ring

Alex Bowman's cartoon at Counterpoint

https://counterpoint.substack.com/p/ah-women-edition

This article notable only for Ann's confirmation of the date of the submission of the cartoon as Dec. 19th:

Washington Post Cartoonist Quits Over Rejected Sketch of Trump and Bezos
Ann Telnaes said the editorial decision prevented her from being able to “hold powerful people and institutions accountable.”
Rhea Nayyar

Hyperallergic January 7 2025

https://hyperallergic.com/981889/washington-post-cartoonist-quits-over-rejected-sketch-of-trump-and-bezos/

In her newsletter, Jen Sorensen wrote,

Of course, even more slobbery acts of bootlicking have taken place since then, some in recent days. Most of you have probably heard about my colleague Ann Telnaes quitting The Washington Post because the paper refused to publish her cartoon of owner Bezos and other billionaires genuflecting before Trump. The opinions editor stated that the cartoon was rejected because the paper had a couple columns on the subject already (which sounds like a weaselly rationalization to me since this sort of thing happens all the time, and they could have just held the cartoon for a week).

Ann took a clearly principled stand here, and the story has generated enormous negative publicity for the Post. When the dust settles, though, I'm afraid the larger project of turning the paper into a Rupert Murdoch-style entity will simply continue, angry readership be damned.

*Jan. 10 updates:

Cartoonist Walks After WaPo Kills Bezos Satire

Steve Heller

The Daily Heller January 7 2025 https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/the-daily-heller-washington-post-editorial-cartoonist-walks-after-satire-of-bezos-is-killed/

My colleagues in print
The Boston Globe prints a collection of protest cartoons
Ann Telnaes
Open Windows Jan 10 2025 https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/my-colleagues-in-print

My Ann Telnaes Cartoon!
The Washington Post cartoonist's severance package...
Jack Ohman's You Betcha!
Jan 10 2025 https://jackohman.substack.com/p/my-ann-telnaes-cartoon

All the President's Billionaires
Ruben Bolling
Jan 10 2025

https://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/2025/01/10

*Jan 11th updates:

Interview with BBC World Service Radio
Talking about the free press and the importance of editorial cartoonists
Ann Telnaes
Jan 11 2025
https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/interview-with-bbc-world-service

Cartoonist Ann Telnaes on the price of satire
Julian Worricker
Sounds 11 Jan 2025
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172zcxd9h8zkwr

WaPo Editor Explains Decision to Ax Bezos, Trump Cartoon
Opinion editor David Shipley, in a staff memo obtained by Status, said the cartoon was repetitive in light of other pieces.
William Vaillancourt
Jan. 10 2025
https://www.thedailybeast.com/wapo-editor-explains-decision-to-ax-bezos-trump-cartoon/

James Carville Blasts WaPo Editor Over Cartoon Controversy: ‘Disgrace to Journalism’
The veteran Democratic Party strategist slammed the controversy as a sign of the mounting power and influence of the “billionaire class” in the United States.
Will Neal
Jan. 5 2025
https://www.thedailybeast.com/carville-blasts-washington-post-editor-over-cartoon-controversy-disgrace-to-journalism/

Readers critique The Post: Decision not to run cartoon undermines trust [Letters to the Editor; in print as Decision not to run cartoon undermines readers' trust]
William Sullivan and Wayne Shipp
Washington Post January 11, 2025 : A13
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/10/ann-telnes-jimmy-carter-taylor-swift-dave-barry-cricket/

Jan. 12th:

Editorial Cartoons And Free Speech
My friend Ann Telnaes' stand
Liza Donnelly
Seeing Things Jan 12 2025
https://lizadonnelly.substack.com/p/editorial-cartoons-and-free-speech

Jan. 13th:

Telnaes Tribute Cont'd
We are Telnaes
Steve Brodner
The Greater Quiet, Jan 13 2025
https://stevebrodner.substack.com/p/telnaes-tribute-contd

Jan. 14th:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 188: Ann Telnaes Quits Washington Post

Ted Rall and Scott Stantis

DMZ America Podcast

Jan 11, 2025 NEW YORK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgr5xvaTdxk

Jan. 15th:

Political cartoonists on facing Donald Trump, again: ‘There is no consensus reality anymore’
Zach Rabiroff | January 15, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/political-cartoonists-on-facing-donald-trump-again-there-is-no-consensus-reality-anymore/

Sorensen Subscribers - Oligarchically Correct

Jen Sorensen
Jan 15, 2025

https://mailchi.mp/233e1042ce39/sorensen-subscribers-oligarchically-correct

Monday, January 13, 2025

Steve Brodner collects Telnaes Tributes

Telnaes Tribute Cont'd

We are Telnaes

Friday, January 10, 2025

Stories and cartoons continue on Ann Telnaes' quitting WaPo

Monday, January 06, 2025

Even more reactions to Ann Telnaes quitting The Post

Sunday, January 05, 2025

More reactions to Ann Telnaes quitting WaPo

In Solidarity with Ann Telnaes by Daniel Boris