We woke up Monday morning to the news that banking regulators took over First Republic Bank over the weekend and sold most of its assets to JPMorgan Chase. It was the largest lender to fail since Washington Mutual in 2008, NPR reported. President Joe Biden assured Americans that the banking system was “safe and sound.” Editorial cartoonists took a more jaundiced view.
Bill Bramhall leads this week’s gallery with Godzilla (aka JP Morgan Chase) making off with First Republic. Bystanders seem strangely relieved, even with Godzilla still roaming the city. Michael Ramirez draws a bank teller asking an armed robber to take out a loan due to a liquidity crisis. Drew Sheneman’s bank customer is asked, “Care to try your luck?”
Television and movie writers went on strike for higher pay and more work guarantees as the rise of streaming platforms changes the economics of the entertainment business. Bramhall and Steve Breen allude to the power of artificial intelligence to take the place of human writers. Walt Handelsman jokes that union solidarity is a novel excuse for not handing in your homework.
Cartoonists also commented on the coronation of King Charles III. Scott Stantis trenchantly observes the shrinking significance of the job, represented by a tiny crown being placed on the king’s head.
Other topics in this week’s gallery include the debt ceiling showdown; voter weariness with the Biden vs. Trump presidential election rematch; a mass shooting in Texas allegedly perpetrated by a man who had been deported multiple times; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vs. Disney; and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s deepening ethics crisis.
Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Steve Breen, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
