Politico Removes Controversial Cartoon Depicting Trump and Netanyahu

The cartoon was accused of containing antisemitic imagery and tropes.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:06pm

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Politico has deleted a political cartoon that was criticized for containing antisemitic imagery and tropes. The cartoon, created by cartoonist Sean Delonas, depicted President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu draped in blood-covered prayer shawls and sitting on a ship that had a bag of blood-soaked money hanging above their heads.

Why it matters

The removal of the cartoon highlights the sensitivity around depictions of Jewish people and leaders, especially in the context of political commentary. Politico acknowledged that the cartoon did not meet their standards, as it could be reasonably interpreted as relying on ethnic stereotypes or employing tropes that have historically been used in hateful ways.

The details

The cartoon, titled 'Ship of Necons,' showed several Republican lawmakers and members of Trump's cabinet unwittingly sailing towards a waterfall, thinking they're heading towards Iran. The ship is sailing under the moneybag and a flag that reads 'Mission Accomplished.' Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are depicted draped in the bloody prayer shawls, with Graham also wearing a yarmulke. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are also shown on the ship.

  • The cartoon was published on Politico on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Politico removed the cartoon on Saturday, March 29, 2026, after the Washington Free Beacon reported on it.

The players

Sean Delonas

The cartoonist who created the controversial cartoon for Politico.

Politico

The media outlet that published and then removed the cartoon after receiving criticism.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President depicted in the cartoon.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The former Prime Minister of Israel depicted in the cartoon.

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What they’re saying

“Sharp arguments and provocative imagery in political cartoons are within bounds. Images that could be reasonably interpreted to rely on ethnic stereotypes or employing tropes that have been involved in historically hateful ways are not.”

— Politico

“The cartoon plays on classic anti-Semitic tropes about Jews covertly controlling events, in this case the decision to launch the war in Iran, and using financial exploitation to do so. The exaggeration of Netanyahu's nose in a grotesque, caricatured style plays on age-old efforts to dehumanize Jews.”

— Alana Goodman, Reporter, Washington Free Beacon

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity and debate around the use of stereotypes and tropes in political commentary, especially when it comes to depictions of Jewish people and leaders. It underscores the need for media outlets to carefully consider the potential impact and implications of the content they publish.