😱New Format for Counterpoint😱

Testing, testing...

Today, we're launching a new format for the Counterpoint newsletter. Rather than featuring just two political cartoons each day — one from the left and one from the right — we’ll now present five or six cartoons daily, selected from a broader range of political cartoonists and accompanied by a brief narrative. And because there are significantly more left-leaning cartoonists, you're likely to see a greater number of cartoons reflecting a more liberal perspective.

We're also shifting to a late afternoon or evening send time to allow us to better capture the full scope of what cartoonists are producing throughout the day.

As always, we welcome your feedback as we continue to evolve this newsletter during this historically significant time in America. We’ll be reading your emails…

We lead off with a clever cartoon from Jack Ohman (Tribune Content Agency) about the recent kerfuffle at 60 Minutes.

On-air during CBS's 60 Minutes, host Scott Pelley criticized the network’s corporate owner, Paramount Global, for infringing on journalistic independence amid its pending sale to Skydance Media — a deal requiring approval from Donald Trump’s administration. Pelley praised outgoing executive producer Bill Owens, who resigned over concerns that new corporate oversight was compromising the show's editorial freedom. The rebuke comes as 60 Minutes faces a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump related to its coverage during the 2024 election. While Paramount denies the suit’s merit, it is seeking to settle the case to smooth the merger, which could net $2.4 billion for Paramount chair Shari Redstone’s family. The FCC is also reviewing the matter, with no decision timeline given.

It’s a good mashup of current events dawing on the hype surrounding the Broadway production of Good Night, and Good Luck, starring George Clooney in his Broadway debut. It’s drawing major attention for its historical significance, star-studded cast, and timely themes. Adapted from the 2005 film, the play dramatizes journalist Edward R. Murrow's confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy, highlighting the enduring importance of truth, integrity, and media accountability — issues that strongly resonate in today’s political and media climate.

Next, Walt Handelsman (Tribune Content Agency) delivers a poignant commentary about the three young American children who were deported with their mothers.

Attorneys are challenging claims by Trump officials that deported mothers voluntarily took their U.S. citizen children with them. In several cases, mothers were allegedly given little to no opportunity to make arrangements or consult with attorneys or family members.

One mother was deported with her 4-year-old child who has Stage 4 cancer and was left without medication. Another mother was reportedly instructed by ICE to bring her children to a check-in before being unexpectedly deported. Attorneys say consent documents were either coerced or nonexistent, and in one case, a child with a life-threatening disorder narrowly avoided deportation due to an expired passport. Legal advocates argue these actions may endanger U.S. citizen children and call for investigation and accountability.

Jeff Danziger (Counterpoint Media Syndicate) adds to the outrage and points out the absurdity.

Joel Pett (Tribune Content Agency) offers a perspective that looks beyond the day’s headlines, drawing connections across decades of U.S. foreign policy. He raises a sobering question: Given our long history of reneging on security commitments, why would anyone trust us again?"

And we’ll save you a trip to the dictionary: per·fid·i·ous /pərˈfidēəs/adjective: deceitful and untrustworthy.

Dana Summers (Tribune Content Agency) appears offended by the recent use of foul language among Democratic speakers.

Fair enough. But one wonders whether he’s taken note of the steadily coarsening tone of our culture, driven in large part by the current leader of the Republican Party — a man who often uses vulgar language on the campaign trail, defended the size of his penis during a 2016 presidential debate and shared crude anecdotes about Arnold Palmer’s genitalia at a campaign rally, setting new lows for public discourse.

While Republicans in Congress largely toe the line on Trump’s protectionist trade policies, conservative cartoonist Lisa Benson (Counterpoint Media Syndicate) stays true to traditional conservative principles, warning of the sharp decline in shipping volumes about to hit U.S. ports as a result of his tariffs.

And we end with Pedro Molina (Counterpoint Media Syndicate), who has a unique take on the president’s first 100 days in office.

Please feel free to send your feedback regarding our new format to editor@counterpoint.com.