Trump pays tribute as 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies at 68
WASHINGTON, DC: Scott Adams, the cartoonist best known as the creator of the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 68.
The news of his passing on Tuesday, January 13, prompted an immediate tribute from President Donald Trump, who hailed the polarizing figure as a "fantastic guy."
Members of "The Scott Adams School," formerly called "Coffee With Scott Adams," broke the news during a livestream on Tuesday morning. Adams' death marks the end of a career defined by massive success in the funny pages and significant controversy in later years.
Trump honors 'Great Influencer' Scott Adams
President Donald J Trump Truth Social Post (Jan 13, 2026 11.09 AM EST)
— Commentary 🇺🇸 Trump’s Truth Social posts (@TrumpTruthpostX) January 13, 2026
Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease.…
President Trump took to social media to mourn the loss, praising Adams for his loyalty. "Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away," Trump wrote. "He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so."
The President acknowledged Adams' health struggles, noting that he "bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease." Trump offered his sympathies, adding, "My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott!"
Ex-wife shares emotional final message
Coffee with Scott Adams moves to The Scott Adams School 01/13/24 https://t.co/RsXWMvV6yA
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 13, 2026
The announcement of his death was made by Adams' first ex-wife, Shelly, who appeared on his daily livestream. "Unfortunately, this isn't good news," Shelly told the audience. "Of course, he waited until just before the show started, but he's not with us right anymore."
Shelly read a final message Adams had prepared, dated January 1, 2026. "If you are reading this. Things did not go well for me... My body fell before my brain," the message read. It also revealed that Adams accepted Jesus Christ before his death. "If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want. Be useful."
Scott Adams battled aggressive prostate cancer
Scott Adams gives solid words of wisdom after revealing his cancer diagnosis.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 19, 2025
"I realize that for some of you, this is hitting you hard because you're hearing it for the first time."
"I have to say that everybody has to die, as far as I know. And it's kind of civilized that you… pic.twitter.com/g5eRulqKH8
Adams had been candid about his diagnosis. Last May, he revealed he was fighting the same condition as former President Joe Biden.
"I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has," Adams said during a May 2025 episode of his YouTube show. "So, I also have prostate cancer that has also spread to my bones."
'Dilbert' canceled over racist remarks
Adams' legacy is complicated by the implosion of his career in 2023. The "Dilbert" comic strip, which began in 1989 poking fun at office culture, was canceled by most newspapers with "lightning speed" after Adams made racist comments online.
While he later claimed he was being hyperbolic, media publishers across the US denounced the comments as hateful and discriminatory, ending his syndication.
