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manipulation

Friday April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025 by Graeme MacKay
Trump's erratic tariff strategy has isolated the U.S., damaging trust and alliances while raising suspicions of market manipulation.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 11, 2025 (Also, The Toronto Star, April 13, 2025)

A Circus of Chaos and Consequences

Trump's aggressive trade policies, particularly against China, create risks and uncertainties in an already fragile global economy.

April 10, 2025

In the annals of American leadership, few figures have managed to blend showmanship with governance quite like Donald Trump. Touting himself as the mastermind behind “The Art of the Deal,” Trump promised to harness his negotiating prowess to fortify the U.S. economy and elevate its standing on the global stage. Yet, as recent events have painfully demonstrated, Trump’s leadership style has proven less an art form and more a chaotic spectacle, reminiscent of a ratings-dropping game show rather than strategic statecraft.

Opinion: What Trump Just Cost America

Trump’s recent decision to impose and then abruptly pause tariffs, excluding China, has not only destabilized markets but shattered trust in American leadership. Announcing a 90-day pause, Trump expected foreign leaders to flock to his door, eager to negotiate. Instead, as Thomas L. Friedman of The New York Times aptly noted, his actions have echoed the old adage: if you hire clowns, expect a circus.

The administration’s rationale for these tariffs — from curbing fentanyl to funding tax cuts — fluctuated as erratically as the stock market during his tenure. Trump’s so-called principles crumbled under pressure, revealing a strategy not rooted in sound economic theory but in impulse-driven theatrics. The result? A loss of billions and an even more invaluable currency: trust.

Opinion: America is lost. But we can still save the rest of the world from Trump’s tariffs

President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs risk isolating the U.S. economically and diplomatically, as allies retaliate and rethink their reliance on American partnerships.

April 3, 2025

In one fell swoop, Trump equated long-standing allies with adversaries like China and Russia, applying tariffs indiscriminately and disregarding decades of partnership. Countries that stood shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in moments of global crisis were left questioning their alliance with a nation that seemed to value spectacle over substance.

Friedman likened this diplomatic blunder to the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan — a strategic misstep that Trump’s tariffs have now emulated in the trade arena. Yet, unlike Afghanistan, this self-imposed trade war has no exit strategy, leaving America isolated at a time when unity is paramount.

Trump’s approach to China, a nation with vast manufacturing capabilities, was a tactical misfire. Rather than rallying global allies to address trade imbalances collaboratively, Trump went it alone, fostering animosity instead of alliance. Friedman highlights this failure to unite against a common economic rival as a critical error, strengthening Beijing’s position while allies now view China as a more stable partner than the unpredictable U.S.

News: Trump’s Encouragement of Stock Investors Draws Scrutiny

Trump's cabinet is characterized by loyalty-driven appointments, where fealty often overshadows expertise, raising concerns about governance integrity.

March 26, 2025

The Trump era’s hallmark is not economic resurgence but rather a profound erosion of American values and influence. His administration’s apparent disregard for ethical governance has fueled suspicions of market manipulation and insider trading, with allegations, as Friedman points out, that Trump’s inner circle profited from his policy pivots. Such actions, if proven, would underscore a presidency marred by self-interest and oligarchic tendencies.

In the end, Trump’s “Art of the Deal” narrative unfolds more like an episode of “Let’s Make a Deal,” where the stakes are not merely ratings but the very credibility and leadership of the United States. As the curtain falls on this chapter of American policymaking, the world grapples with a sobering reality: faith in American leadership has been not just shaken, but shattered.

As America navigates the aftermath of Trump’s tenure, it must work tirelessly to rebuild the bridges burned by his reckless policies. This requires a commitment to transparency, ethical governance, and strategic alliances that prioritize collective prosperity over individual gain. Only then can the U.S. hope to restore its standing as a leader not just in power, but in principle.


Pardon the Conspiracy theory But… As I’ve been reading through various articles and the comments sections, one thing is clear: the idea of insider trading is dominating people’s minds. Many are questioning who might have been tipped off about the reversal. It feels eerily similar to the 2008 scenario, with concerns about how many people panicked and sold low, only for a select few to profit when the market surged.

The opinion pieces aren’t holding back either, pointing out how Trump’s actions have not only wiped out investments but also eroded trust in the system. It’s frustrating to see such recklessness from someone in charge, and the lack of transparency and accountability is a real concern.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for April 11, 2025, below! If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This “note” helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

 

Posted in: International, USA Tagged: 2025-08, alliances, Allies, chaos, China, credibility, devil, Donald Trump, donkey, dumpster, Economy, game show, globe, influence, isolation, leadership, Let’s Make a Deal, manipulation, market, strategy, Substack, tariffs, Trade, trust, USA

Friday August 4, 2023

August 4, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday August 4, 2023

Canada’s News Ban Sparks Global Debate on Tech Giants and Journalism Protection

June 12, 2019

In February 2021, Australia witnessed a showdown between tech giants Facebook and Google and the Australian government over a proposed law that would have required these platforms to pay media companies for the news stories appearing on their sites. In response, Facebook decided to block news on its platform in Australia, sending shockwaves across the globe.

Fast forward to June 2023, and Canada faced a similar crossroads. Rather than negotiating a deal like Australia, Ottawa passed the Online News Act, mandating that tech giants like Meta (formerly known as Facebook) compensate news outlets for the content they share or repurpose. In a move of defiance, Meta announced the end of news availability on its platforms in Canada.

The question now is whether Canada missed an opportunity to avoid this situation and secure a better deal. Some industry leaders and academics seemed to believe that the Australian incident was merely a bluff and that Meta would back down. They underestimated the tech giant’s resolve and misread the situation.

News: Meta begins removing news access for Canadians on Facebook, Instagram

March 2, 2023

The crucial difference between Australia’s legislation and Canada’s Online News Act lies in the concept of “designation.” In Australia, the News Media Bargaining Code granted the government the power to designate digital platforms like Meta and Google, effectively forcing them to pay for news. However, the Australian government removed this aspect during negotiations, allowing Meta and Google to make separate deals with media companies on their own terms.

Consequently, Meta and Google struck deals with more than 30 Australian media companies, resulting in approximately $200 million in value to news organizations. In contrast, the Canadian law lacks this flexibility, making it challenging for the government to engage in such negotiations.

While many believe the issue revolves around money, it runs deeper. Tech giants like Meta fear being regulated and setting a precedent that might apply to other jurisdictions. They don’t want to be cornered into accepting Canadian legislation and subsequently face pressure to do the same elsewhere. The outcome of this struggle will have global implications, as other countries and regions observe how these tech giants respond to regulatory measures.

Commentary: “They need us. We don’t need them:” The fall of Twitter is making the trolls and grifters desperate 

October 15, 2020

However, beyond the financial and regulatory aspects, there is an underlying concern for Canadian journalism. The absence of news on platforms like Meta leaves a void that online trolls may exploit. By depriving trolls of mainstream Canadian news to devour, regurgitate, and berate, a news ban could help protect the integrity of journalism and promote responsible online discourse.

Canada’s decision to pass the Online News Act without a flexible designation mechanism might have limited its ability to negotiate deals with tech giants, resulting in a news ban similar to Australia’s earlier experience. Beyond financial considerations, the battle between tech giants and governments raises broader questions about regulation and global implications. Moreover, safeguarding Canadian journalism from online trolls adds another dimension to this debate. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is essential to strike a balance between protecting journalism and ensuring fair and responsible regulation of tech giants in the digital age. (AI)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2023-14, Canada, cyberbully, Facebook, fake news, manipulation, Meta, news, social media, trolls

Friday September 24, 2022

September 24, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 24, 2022

“It’s not magic. It’s delusion”

April 11, 2017

Perhaps the starkest example of how dramatically Donald Trump’s fortunes have changed in just a matter of days is contained in the opening paragraph of New York Attorney General Leticia James’ financial-fraud civil lawsuit against Trump and his family. Gone is any semblance of deference that Trump typically expects as a billionaire ex-president. There is no hint of acknowledgment of his claim to special privileges. Rather, Trump gets the same treatment that prosecutors afford common criminals, commanded by James to appear in court or face default judgment on more than 200 allegations of financial fraud and a $250 million fine.

Trump’s no-good, terrible, very bad day was a great day for Americans who want to put an end to his lawlessness and lies, once and for all. His bad day also included a federal appeals court ruling bluntly trashing Trump’s claim that the Justice Department should be denied criminal investigatory access to about 100 classified files that were among a trove of government documents Trump unlawfully possessed at his Florida estate. Trump has presented a convoluted argument that he somehow possessed special privileges as an ex-president to keep such files. The documents are the U.S. government’s sole property.

January 6, 2022

Trump also made the bizarre claim Wednesday on Fox News that he had authority to declassify those documents merely by pronouncing it verbally or “even by thinking about it.” Thus, he asserted, that no paper trail was needed to establish his legal authority to possess highly sensitive materials, unsecured, at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

By merely thinking they were declassified, Trump would have done his job. It would then be incumbent upon clairvoyant government officials to discern that he was abiding by the law instead of endangering national security by leaving the documents exposed to foreign espionage. Presumably, Trump would have used these magical thinking powers while he was still president, since ex-presidents have never had the power to declare verbally, in writing or using telepathy that highly classified materials are now declassified.

July 23, 2022

But this is the absurd degree to which Trump — who millions of Republicans still want back in the White House — deludes himself about his own powers. Add to that the hundreds of examples of Trumpian self-delusion contained within the New York attorney general’s lawsuit alleging financial fraud, and it should be clear to all Americans by now that Trump is a dangerous, unabashed con man whose only goal is his political or financial advancement.

Trump can try to deflect with accusations of a Democratic “witch hunt” and by labeling James as “racist” because she’s a Black woman pursuing justice against a white man. But the 222-page lawsuit speaks for itself. It is detailed, well-documented and damning.

Trump’s courtroom comeuppance ultimately would serve Americans of all political stripes because it would affirm a concept that badly needs affirmation: That no person is above the law. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) 

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

https://mackaycartoons.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-0924-USA.mp4

 

Posted in: International Tagged: 2022-31, Classified, declassified, Donald Trump, magic, magician, manipulation, procreate, spoon bending, telekinesis, telepathy, USA

Tuesday August 24, 2021

August 31, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 24, 2021

Canada doesn’t need more social media trickery

The last thing this election campaign needs is a drift toward American style social media political manipulation and disinformation.

April 21, 2021

We saw an example of that over the weekend, and the offender is someone we would have hoped was above it — Chrystia Freeland. 

It starts with an online question-and-answer session made in 2020 during the Conservative leadership race. In a tweeted video of the session, which was retweeted by Freeland, O’Toole is questioned about privatized health care. Asked if he would advocate private, “for-profit” health care in Canada, his clear response was “yes.”

The only problem is, the video was edited to manipulate the message. In the same segment, the original video shows O’Toole also noted that universal access to health services is of paramount importance. The condensed clip used in Freeland’s tweet did not include that statement.

Justin Trudeau later retweeted the video, and Twitter marked Freeland’s tweet as “manipulated media.” Conservative lawyers sent a complaint to Elections Canada demanding an investigation and disclosure of who was involved in making the video. Conservative manager of media relations Mathew Clancy said: “It’s disappointing to see the Liberals resort to American-style divisive politics.”

March 1, 2012

That’s rich, considering the Conservatives had their own social media mud slinging event just a week ago, distributing a video mocking Trudeau by placing his face on a character from the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” It was so offensive even some sitting Conservatives called the tweet juvenile, amateur and a bad idea during an election campaign.

April 10, 2019

Fair enough. The Conservatives are hypocritical and too precious by half, but that doesn’t excuse what the Liberals did. Their campaign social media gurus manipulated a piece of content to change the message from the original. And the Conservatives did the same thing by adding Trudeau’s face to a fake partisan message. 

Both these things are wrong. We should not be concerned about the feelings or reputations of the politicians and parties involved, but Canadians certainly deserve an apology.

This sort of social media distortion is a toxic import from our friends down south. It has become big business and high art in American politics to manufacture social media demonizing the opposition. The Trump Republican leadership and presidential campaign used literally hundreds of operatives to generate false and misleading storylines about their opponents. Many pundits argue that had an impact on Trump’s successful campaigns.

June 26, 2019

Granted, it was probably naive to hope this twisted tactic would not eventually migrate north, and in fact there have been previous examples. But things are getting worse, and that is not something Canadians should sit quietly and tolerate. 

Much as we have been critical of social media giants for accepting and even encouraging this sort of behaviour, Twitter is to be congratulated for its practice of clearly labelling manipulated content. Other social media platforms have taken their own measures, but Twitter’s is among the most clear and identifiable, and that should sufficient incentive for political parties to lay off the disreputable tactic. 

It cheapens already damaged election discourse. It disrespects our democratic process and ideals. Everyone knows election campaigns have their share of spin and partisan fakery. But outright manipulation is a line parties should not to cross. Parties need to understand that, and the best way to ensure that is by public reaction to this sort of unethical behaviour. We don’t need this garbage in our election. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2021-29, Afghanistan, Canada, Chrystia Freeland, computer, editing, election2021, Erin O’Toole, manipulation, media, propaganda

Thursday June 17, 2021

June 24, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 17, 2021

Think bigger, and smaller, than a vaccine lottery

The percentage of Canadians who’ve had their first shot of COVID-19 vaccine has rocketed this country to the top of the global charts. Yet even as Canada pivots to focusing on second doses, one-quarter of Canadian adults and teens have still not taken their first shot.

December 11, 2020

Could a lottery get them to stretch out their arms?

Last month, Ohio decided to try that approach. It’s part populism, part behavioural science. 

On May 12, the governor announced that the vaccinated would be entered into a draw, with a US$1-million prize awarded weekly, for five weeks.

The behavioural science insight behind all of this is that the human brain tends to misjudge probabilities. It’s why lotteries, with their poor odds – Ohio’s grand-prize odds are roughly one in a million – are often referred to as a tax on stupidity. Ohio decided to try to harness that stupidity for a good cause, namely boosting the vaccination rate. Several other states followed its lead, as have Manitoba and Alberta.

So how are things working out?

October 27, 2006

Thanks at least in part to Vax-a-Million, Ohio’s low vaccination rate did rise – but only for a short time.

In the seven days up to and including May 12 – the day the lottery was announced – the state of nearly 12 million people administered fewer than 92,000 first shots, according to our calculations from data on Ohio’s vaccine dashboard. The next week, after the lottery launched, first-shot vaccinations more than doubled.

The following week, however, vaccinations dropped by about a quarter. The next week, they dropped by almost half. The following week, they fell some more; the week after that, they fell sharply again.

And over the five days to June 14, Ohio averaged about half as many first shots as in the five days leading up to the lottery launch.

Ohio, which has now given a first dose to 47 per cent of its population, needed to up its rate by as much as 20 percentage points. Vax-a-Million appears to have delivered a boost of perhaps two percentage points, at most.

April 8, 2008

So far, Alberta’s lotto results are even less promising. Premier Jason Kenney announced the lottery plan 

on Saturday; on Sunday, Alberta recorded its lowest number of first shots since February. Monday’s tally was the second lowest since February. Tuesday was even lower.

There are many reasons why a quarter of eligible Canadians are still not vaccinated. The lack of pandemic prizes is likely the least of it. (Globe & Mail) 

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2021-22, climate change, cover hoax, covid-19, covidiot, denier, Gambling, ignorance, Lottery, manipulation, pandemic, Pandemic Times, Science
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