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Cartoonist behind anti-Trump image thinks online presence played role in contract ending

Jul 2, 2019 | 3:38 PM

An editorial cartoonist who recently drew international attention and celebrity support for an anti-Trump sketch says he doesn’t believe that piece of work was why an Atlantic media organization scrapped its contract with him.

Michael de Adder says he still hasn’t clearly been told why Brunswick News ended its relationship with him but he believes the strong opinions he expresses online were behind the move.

De Adder garnered support from celebrities such as Star Wars star Mark Hamill and Canadian comedian Mark Critch after sharing the news about his contract termination over the weekend.

Many noted that his contract was ended a day after he posted a cartoon showing U.S. President Donald Trump playing golf next to the bodies of two migrants who drowned trying to cross into Texas.

De Adder says he asked Brunswick News if his online presence was the reason behind his contract being scrapped and was told it wasn’t, but he nonetheless believes the unabashedly anti-Trump views he’s expressed played a role.

Brunswick News says in a statement that it was entirely incorrect to suggest it cancelled the contract due to the recent cartoon depicting Trump, which it notes De Adder did not offer for publication. It did not provide further comment.

The Canadian Press