Outrage as NY newspaper cartoon mocks Texans who backed Trump amid deadly floods: 'Vile and shameful'

KERR COUNTY, TEXAS: A political cartoon published by The Buffalo News has ignited a firestorm of criticism after appearing to mock victims of the deadly Texas flash floods, particularly those who support President Donald Trump.

The cartoon, drawn by Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis, featured a man in a red MAGA hat submerged in floodwaters, holding a sign that reads “HELP” while saying, “Gov’t is the problem not the solution.”

Buffalo News cartoon depicts drowning MAGA supporter

The image, captioned “Swept Away...”, was meant to satirize anti-government sentiment among conservatives, according to Zyglis, who shared the cartoon on Instagram with the remark, “Tomorrow’s lines… that argument’s gone in a flash.”

He included hashtags referencing the National Weather Service (NWS), political slogans such as “MAGA” and “DOGE,” further inflaming accusations that the artwork politicized human suffering amid an ongoing tragedy.

The cartoon was released on the heels of historic floods that have devastated southern Texas, with at least 82 confirmed deaths and dozens still missing, particularly in hard-hit Kerr County.

Many found the timing and message distasteful, especially as rescue teams continue to recover bodies and aid survivors in the wake of the storm.

White House condemns the message

Abigail Jackson, spokesperson for the White House, sharply condemned the cartoon and broader efforts to politicize the floods. “It’s shameful and disgusting that in the wake of tragedy, the left’s first instinct is to lie and politicize a disaster to target their political opponents,” Jackson told Fox News Digital.

“False claims about the NWS have been repeatedly debunked by meteorologists, experts, and other public reporting. The NWS did their job, even issuing a flood watch more than 12 hours in advance. The Trump Administration is grateful to the first responders who sprang into action to save hundreds lives during this catastrophe, and will continue to help the great state of Texas in their recovery efforts,” she added.

Buffalo News slammed for 'vile' cartoon mocking Texas flood victims

The cartoon has come under intense fire for what many are calling a cruel and politicized depiction of Texas flood victims.

The backlash quickly spread, with Republican leaders and prominent commentators calling on the newspaper to remove the cartoon and issue an apology to the grieving families in Texas.

Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Michael Kracker wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “@TheBuffaloNews ran a cartoon mocking Texas families who lost loved ones in a tragedy, just because they might’ve voted Republican. Twisted, vile, and shameful. They owe those families an apology and should pull this filth immediately.”

Social media users echoed the fury. “Zyglis can’t help but politicize everything. What a disgrace,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is absolutely unacceptable & heartless too!!”

“Absolutely revolting. Those poor kids and grieving families. @TheBuffaloNews should issue an apology and retraction,” a netizen penned.

A user criticized the dismissive tone, saying, “They hate Trump so much they’re willing to mock families who just lost everything. That’s not journalism — it’s sickness.”

Another outraged social media user commented, "The amount of despicable people that have made such hateful comments and now cartoons is Unfathomable! Pure evil !!"

More readers followed up with outraged reactions, as one wrote, "Cartoon? I hope the folks in Buffalo have to good sense to boycott the paper. There is nothing, not one thing, funny about this." 

While another commented, "Another TDS sufferer who is making a buck off of Trump. I don’t care if he likes Trump. But this cartoon at a time when young children have perished, crosses the line."

As of now, The Buffalo News has not issued a formal response to the controversy, nor has the cartoon been removed from its official platforms.

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