Washington Post Cartoonist Resigns Over Censored Bezos Satire

Sat Feb 07 2026 04:29:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ann Telnaes departs after her critical cartoon of Jeff Bezos was rejected, igniting debate over editorial freedom.

A long-serving cartoonist for the Washington Post has resigned after the paper declined to publish her satire of owner Jeff Bezos, citing concerns around editorial integrity and the implications for press freedom.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes has announced her resignation from the Washington Post following the paper's refusal to publish a cartoon that critiques its billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos. The controversial cartoon depicted Bezos kneeling alongside other tech moguls, such as Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI's Sam Altman, presenting bags of cash to a statue of President-elect Donald Trump. Telnaes expressed her dismay in a Substack post, labeling the decision a "game changer" and a "dangerous" moment for journalistic freedom.

Editorial page editor David Shipley explained the decision by stating that it was based on concerns regarding repetitive content rather than fear of offending Bezos. He defended his actions, saying, "I respect Ann Telnaes and all she has given to The Post. But I must disagree with her interpretation of events." Shipley indicated that the paper had recently published similar content and had scheduled additional pieces on the same subject.

Telnaes, who joined the Washington Post in 2008, recalled that this was the first time in her career that a cartoon was killed due to its pointed critique of influential figures. In her resignation announcement, she emphasized the broader implications, stating, "This cartoon criticizes billionaire tech and media executives who have been attempting to gain favor with President-elect Trump."

The rejected cartoon draws parallels to broader concerns regarding the relationship between powerful media figures and government. Historically, the Washington Post has faced scrutiny over its editorial choices, with previous controversies including the retraction of a cartoon featuring the children of Senator Ted Cruz in 2015, which cited a policy to avoid depicting minors.

This incident follows a rocky period for the newspaper, marked by the backlash it faced after Bezos intervened to prevent the editorial board from endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, resulting in a significant subscriber loss. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the tensions surrounding media ownership, editorial independence, and the responsibilities of journalists remain at the forefront of public discourse.