The Buffalo News, a New York newspaper, has sparked fury online after a political cartoon appeared to mock victims of the flash floods in Texas.
The cartoon depicted a drowning Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap.
Newsweek has contacted The Buffalo News for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Flash flooding swept through the central part of Texas on Friday, prompting mass evacuations and causing extensive damage. More than 100 people have died, and more than 160 are still missing, the Associated Press reported.
A large number of deaths occurred at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp near the Guadalupe River—which rose to 26 feet in 45 minutes.
Eric Vryn/Getty Images
What To Know
Adam Zyglis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, drew the cartoon in question. When sharing it on Instagram, he wrote in the caption: “Tomorrow’s lines… that argument’s gone in a flash.”
The cartoon shows a man in a MAGA hat almost submerged in water. He holds a sign that says, “HELP.” In a speech bubble, he says, “Gov’t is the problem not the solution.”
Since the devastating floods began on July 4, many have attempted to point a finger at government agencies or personnel as being responsible for the loss of life—whether it is the lack of staffing at the National Weather Service that resulted from cuts the Trump administration made or the failure of local leaders to act swiftly.
Zyglis’ cartoon has been widely criticized online.
Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile. He said the paper should “pull this filth immediately.”
What People Are Saying
Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, said on Monday: “It’s shameful and disgusting that in the wake of tragedy, the left’s first instinct is to lie and politicize a disaster to target their political opponents. … The Trump Administration is grateful to the first responders who sprang into action to save hundreds of lives during this catastrophe and will continue to help the great state of Texas in their recovery efforts.”
The X account @libsoftiktok wrote in a post viewed more than 700,000 times: “DISGRACE: @TheBuffaloNews runs a VILE cartoon by artist Adam Zyglis, appearing to mock Texas families affected by the floods because they voted for Trump.”
Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, wrote on X: “@TheBuffaloNews ran a cartoon mocking Texas families who lost loved ones in a tragedy, just because they might’ve voted Republican. Twisted, vile, and shameful. They owe those families an apology and should pull this filth immediately.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether The Buffalo News or Zyglis will address the fallout over the cartoon.