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A Pennsylvania newspaper fired one of its political cartoonists after readers complained about an expletive-laden jab at President Donald Trump the artist incorporated into his Sunday comic strip.
Cartoonist Wiley Miller, whose syndicated Non Sequitur political cartoon series appears in more than 700 newspapers nationwide, was axed from The Butler Eagle after readers called the paper and said they were offended.
In a Twitter post on Sunday, Miller encouraged readers to color in the picture and find the little Easter egg" spoken by character Leonardo Bear-Vinci.
The insult, which appeared in the bottom righthand corner of the cartoon, read:
"We fondly say go f*ck yourself to Trump."
Here is the image of the Non Sequitur comic strip. With the oh-so clever Trump insult https://t.co/rlHwKqbHFj— Boston Citizen Oslo Borger (@Boston Citizen Oslo Borger) 1549875858.0
Yeah, and? Non Sequitur fans loved it.
@FranWarren What's the insult?— Sir Autumn Mandrake (@Sir Autumn Mandrake) 1549896794.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Sure did! Wasn’t aware that Leonardo Bear Vinci knows about Trump but I agree with him— jeanette bartels (@jeanette bartels) 1549815925.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Thinking you deserve Hero status for that one.— Bob W Garner-just bob-Spaceman Spiff (@Bob W Garner-just bob-Spaceman Spiff) 1549848461.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics It was brilliant— The Inglorius Padre Steve 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇪🇺⚾️⚽️ (@The Inglorius Padre Steve 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇪🇺⚾️⚽️) 1549819432.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics My Hero— AMBAS (@AMBAS) 1549892652.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Thanks for your service ✏️— Popdiatry (@Popdiatry) 1549895042.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics LOVE it!— RyanKillsRobots (@RyanKillsRobots) 1549888239.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics I just wish more folks would have your chutzpa!! A tip of the hat to you! https://t.co/ZyUjLCpa6x— laurel g (@laurel g) 1549894296.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 fantastic! How much for a signed poster of this! #shutupandtakemymoney— Deebsimus (@Deebsimus) 1549899008.0
Is it really that big of a deal?
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics I don't know. It seems silly (to me) to be either mad or ecstatic by a veily-concealed vu… https://t.co/Znzqd51gq9— J. Dodo (@J. Dodo) 1549886960.0
On the other hand, supporters of the president - fully willing to dismiss Trump's own pattern of crass remarks and racist behavior - on Twitter were quick to condemn the cartoon.
Faux outrage 101.
@FranWarren They throw it around like some badge of courage... "look at me, look at me!" Ridiculous— ConservativeBostonian (@ConservativeBostonian) 1549891265.0
@FranWarren Nice catch. I normally like this comic even if it is liberal. Now it is on my forbidden list.— Jack Williams (@Jack Williams) 1549896724.0
@FranWarren They throw it around like some badge of courage... "look at me, look at me!" Ridiculous— ConservativeBostonian (@ConservativeBostonian) 1549891265.0
@FranWarren Another case of #TDS— OzMan (Austere Heavy Metal Scholar) (@OzMan (Austere Heavy Metal Scholar)) 1549896061.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Seems you're starting to get dropped..... good— David Gove (@David Gove) 1549878506.0
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Inappropriate for many reasons, but really? For the COMICS page???? That children do read… https://t.co/FsdJHW8VtY— cilantroisoverrated (@cilantroisoverrated) 1549895836.0
"Pearl-clutchers" perfectly describes the hypocrisy.
@TheWileyMiller @gocomics Pearl-clutchers aside (I believe they prefer the term "snowflakes"), I think you'll fare just fine, sir. #1A— 🦃Aaron B. Spatchcockin'🦃 (@🦃Aaron B. Spatchcockin'🦃) 1549882590.0
@FranWarren With all the name calling and out and out lies that Trump spews forth on the American Public daily, thr… https://t.co/E3PNyhUBIG— Marc Lieberman (@Marc Lieberman) 1549896751.0
Butler Eagle publisher and general manager Ron Vodenichar said in a statement on Sunday that the subliminal message had slipped under the publication team's radar.
“A reader brought to our attention that one of the syndicated comic strips which appears in the Sunday Butler Eagle may contain a hidden message which was apparently placed there by someone in the creative department of the creator of the comic strip or the syndication which controls it,” Vodenichar said. “Neither the Butler Eagle nor any other newspaper that includes this strip had an opportunity to remove it even if they had discovered it before distribution."
Vonedichar also issued an apology to readers who were offended.
“We apologize that such a disgusting trick was perpetuated on the reading public. The Butler Eagle will discontinue that comic immediately,” Vodenichar said.