Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Brutal 'New Yorker' Cover Perfectly Sums Up How Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell and William Barr Do Trump's Bidding

Brutal 'New Yorker' Cover Perfectly Sums Up How Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell and William Barr Do Trump's Bidding
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images // Mark Wilson/Getty Images // Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

A picture says so much.

The latest cover of The New Yorker—and others—assert the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution are breaking down under the administration of President Donald Trump. The New Yorker cover shows Senate GOP leadership as well as the head of the Justice Department going beyond being complicit with the President and moved into supplication.

The magazine shared the latest cover on social media where the image immediately drew attention. It was quickly shared by many.


The cover illustration by artist Barry Blitt, entitled "The Shining," depicts President Trump seated on a raised dais while three men kneel at his feet to shine his shoes. The men are Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham—Chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Attorney General William Barr—head of the Justice Department and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, also a Republican.

People thought the cover captured actions and attitudes of the three perfectly.

But some thought it didn't go far enough.

Coming from a history of monarchy rule, the framers of the United States Constitution borrowed concepts of confederation government from the Haudenosaunee Confederated tribes and Powhatan Confederacy of North America to develop a new form of government.

Critical to avoiding a return to dictatorial rulers for life was the series of checks and balances between the three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial.

But President Trump speaks often of a necessity for loyalty to him, not the Constitution or laws of the United States. While the free press and some in the judicial and legislative branches continue to uphold their oath to defend and preserve the Constitution, Trump paints them as enemies of the state in his MAGA rallies and on Twitter for their lack of fealty.

But those who wish to remain in the executive branch either tow the line without question or find themselves ousted. The Trump executive branch has not been completely staffed since the inauguration and turnover is record setting.

But a compromised executive branch is only as effective as Congress and the judiciary's willingness to remain complicit in any unethical, immoral or illegal activities done by members of that branch.

And The New Yorker clearly called out three powerful components of the system of checks and balances that appear broken.

In addition to President Trump, GOP Senators Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham are up for reelection in 2020.

More from People

Screenshot of James Talarico; Ken Paxton
MediasTouch Podcast; Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Texas Democrat James Talarico Has Epic Response To MAGA Opponent's Accusation That He's A Secret Vegan

Texas Senate nominee James Talarico had the perfect response after MAGA Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused him of being a secret vegan.

Talarico is not actually vegan—though there is nothing inherently wrong with veganism. Even so, Paxton has already begun attacking his likely Democratic challenger before he has officially entered the race, arguing that Talarico is unfit to represent Texans partly because of his supposed veganism.

Keep ReadingShow less
Russell Crowe
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Russell Crowe Shuts Down Accusations He Was Rude To Fans In Paris After Video Goes Viral—But People Are Torn

While staying in a hotel in Paris, Gladiator star Russell Crowe was met with a crowd of fans outside, eager to take selfies and receive autographs.

Crowe took the time to work his way through the crowd while still honoring his schedule and other guests at the hotel, and he was able to do that by setting firm boundaries, which were soon met with mixed reviews.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander
@variety/X

Journalist Slammed After Only Addressing South Korean Film's Two White Actors During Q&A At Cannes

A journalist is being hotly criticized for all but ignoring the Asian stars of a South Korean film at Cannes in favor of the film's two white headliners.

Stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are being criticized as well for not calling out the journalist's behavior and sticking up for their castmates.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of Kevin Hart on The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club/YouTube

Kevin Hart Just Tried To Defend Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd Joke At His Netflix Roast—And Fans Aren't Having It

Comedian Kevin Hart is facing heightened backlash after picking the worst venue to defend and make excuses for the racist jokes of MAGA comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe was included as a featured performer on Netflix's roast of Hart.

Despite getting his backside handed to him by Chelsea Handler, Hinchcliffe still managed to spew some of the bigotry passed off as humor that is his shtick. Hart then decided to go on the popular morning radio show The Breakfast Club to defend him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Zohran Mamdani; Vivek Ramaswamy
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; John Lamparski/Getty Images

Zohran Mamdani Trolls Vivek Ramaswamy Hard After Knicks Sweep Cavaliers—And Fans Are Cheering

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had social media users cackling after he couldn't help but rub the Knicks' sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the face of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy, a billionaire entrepreneur, is currently campaigning for the 2026 election in the state, where he has continued to face accusations that he is out of touch with the average American voter, such as when he suggested lawmakers could help make parenting "more affordable" by making school year-round.

Keep ReadingShow less