Washington Post Cartoonist Exits Following Controversial Rejection of Bezos-Trump Sketch

Ann Telnaes, an editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post since 2008, has resigned following the rejection of a politically charged cartoon. Her illustration depicted a group of media executives, including the newspaper’s owner Jeff Bezos, bowing before President-elect Donald Trump while presenting bags of money. Telnaes aimed to critique the relationship between billionaire executives and the incoming administration.

On Substack, Telnaes expressed frustration with this rejection, labeling it a dangerous precedent for press freedoms. “As an editorial cartoonist, my job is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable,” she stated. Feeling thwarted in her mission, she decided to leave the publication that she believes should support critical commentary.

The cartoonist highlighted the visible presence of media moguls at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, claiming their actions serve to undermine critical regulations in favor of lucrative government contracts. Telnaes’s exit has sparked commentary from the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, which condemned the Post’s actions as “political cowardice.” They invited other cartoonists to share Telnaes’ work using the hashtag #StandWithAnn as a show of solidarity.

In response to the controversy, David Shipley, the Post’s editorial page editor, defended the decision to reject Telnaes’ cartoon. Shipley explained that the paper had recently published similar content and was slated to release more on the same subject. He asserted, “Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force. … The only bias was against repetition.”

This incident raises important questions about the boundaries of artistic freedom and how editorial choices can impact public discourse. Telnaes has vowed to continue her work in holding power accountable, emphasizing that press freedom must be preserved against all challenges.