US presidential election in the eyes of cartoonists

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US presidential election in the eyes of cartoonists

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1/12 SLIDES © dw.com

Good morning, America

Finally, a winner? Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty can hardly believe it. After all, the polling stations have been closed for days, and ever since, Americans — and the rest of the world — have been on tenterhooks waiting to see who will be the occupant of the White House. Is the long wait over? Is it safe to go out on the streets? Uncle Sam isn't quite sure.

Running neck and neck

"Biden leading" in Georgia, "Trump ahead" in North Carolina. Shifting sands daily — and while a furious Donald Trump raged over "fraudulent votes," Joe Biden maintained a more presidential stance, announcing that he wanted to heal the divided country. The round-the-clock election coverage shifted attention away from a third party: the coronavirus.

3/12 SLIDES © dw.com

The puppet master

On election night, long before the votes were counted, Trump declared himself the winner. The president relentlessly ranted that "they" were trying to steal the election — and in the event that he'd lose, mobilized an army of lawyers.

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Explosive mood

By "they," Trump meant Democrats who mailed in their ballots and whose votes he categorically considers illegal. "When the legal votes are counted," said the still-president, "I will easily win." And if all else fails, Brazilian cartoonist Amorim shows how one can force victory in Trumpian manner.

5/12 SLIDES © dw.com

Lady Liberty stands in his way

No easy times for Lady Liberty. Meanwhile, Trump's lawyers are filing suits in those states where he narrowly lost, calling the election results "fake news." The still-president has announced he'll take it all the way to the Supreme Court. He feels abandoned by leading Republicans for not supporting his conspiracy theories.

6/12 SLIDES © dw.com

At least there are the Proud Boys

If party members can't be relied on, at least there are loyal supporters. Trump has long since told them that mail-in voting is not secure, so hundreds have protested at polling stations, trying to get authorities to "stop the count, stop stealing the election." Some even tried using force to enter. For Trump, the turmoil was a sign of "love and affection."

7/12 SLIDES © dw.com

From Afghanistan with love

Trump's tactics remind cartoonist Shahid Atiq of conditions prevailing in his home country of Afghanistan, where the powerful have a say but the people hardly have breathing space. Here the Statue of Liberty is knelt on, just like the African-American man George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman. The image of the US as one of the world's oldest democracies is tarnished.

8/12 SLIDES © dw.com

Politically dead — this time for good

Trump can trumpet his "victory" as much as he wants, but no one will believe him anymore, and the political grim reaper is coming to carry him off. In this image by Costa Rican cartoonist Arcadio Esquivel, one can almost feel sorry for the departing president, who looks more like a sullen child than anything else.

'Great again' with Joe

And here he is, the new president, 77 years young. Democrats placed their hopes in him, but cartoonist Karsten wonders whether Joe Biden might be making pharmaceutical companies "great again." It goes back to a rumor spread by his opponent, who tried to ricidule him as "Sleepy Joe."

The zipper is stuck

The front lines between blue Democrats and red Republicans have hardened in the Trump era. The country is deeply polarized, and politics have even divided families. Whether Joe Biden will be able to restore American unity is a question asked not only by cartoonist Mirco Tomicek — particularly as the current president has not committed to a peaceful transition of power.

Commander in chief till the end

And there he is. After all, a captain never jumps ship, and a Donald Trump is not expected to vacate the White House without resistance, defending the office against the Democrats, who he feels stole the election. Trump's presidency lasts until January 20. But at some point, it's over.

The pain of separation

The Trump era may soon be history, but something remains. Cartoonist Pierre shows what the former president will probably leave behind in the White House. Apparently someone had difficulty saying goodbye. (Adapted by Rick Fulker)