Pro-Melania Trump Political Cartoon Presents Michelle Obama As Pre-Op Transgender Woman
First ladies like Michelle Obama and, potentially, Melania Trump open themselves up to the possibility of being criticized, or perhaps more accurately — mocked.
Political cartoons crudely accentuating Michelle’s features have existed since her husband first began his presidential campaign in 2007. Melania, on the other hand, has found herself at all-time high of public scrutiny as her husband, Donald Trump, has become the Republican party’s presumptive nominee. One political cartoonist, Ben Garrison, capitalized on the moment to compare the Obama administration to the one he hoped would be taking over the White House next — a nation under Donald.
Looking at the cartoon, it’s clear that the artist intended to portray Michelle as masculine, using broad shoulders, bulky muscles and a sturdy stance. Opposite of Mrs. Obama, Melania takes on full Miss America pageant poise and proudly holds a sign announcing “Trump.” Taking it one step further, the current First Lady is depicted with a thick bulge between her legs.
#InTrumpsAmerica The #FirstLady will be Great Again! #Trump2016 https://t.co/2FGmMQ1bBo pic.twitter.com/g2SOBjFXSI
— GrrrGraphics (@GrrrGraphics) May 13, 2016
Reaction to the political cartoon on Twitter was mixed, with many of the conservative artist’s followers commending him for coming after Michelle so unabashedly. According to those supporters, Melania was clearly the more appealing First Lady compared to the “manly” Obama — just one of the many perks of passing the presidency on to the Trump family.
@GrrrGraphics too funny. Michele is indeed very manly looking
— Kelly Ann (@misskellyaudrey) May 13, 2016
@GrrrGraphics @49f8f38790164c4 Agree… pic.twitter.com/rqpNJi8lL7
— jimBedravaTRUMP 100% (@panchimpanzee) May 13, 2016
@Bmy_Guardian Michelle Obama is a disgusting beast. He makes transgender people look ugly.@GrrrGraphics
— TheCultureOfCritique (@TheHumanTornado) May 14, 2016
Of course, those opinions far from dominated the social media response to the “Michelle is a trans woman” cartoon. Plenty showed up to scoff at the claim that Melania had anything to offer the American people in comparison to Mrs. Obama, a highly-educated lawyer.
@GrrrGraphics A Princeton and Harvard Law School educated lawyer vs. a Slovenia high-school dropout turned model/goldigger. #yeahright
— Marcus Wesson (@mahhcus) May 14, 2016
…you know, I’m *just* now noticing the bulge. So it’s not only misogynoiristic AF….it’s trans-misogynoiristic AF https://t.co/6sH9E5SCL9
— Angry Black Homo (@nsuviolin2005) May 14, 2016
@GrrrGraphics @aviv1818 I am not a fan of Obama or his wife, but this is the most ridiculous, asinine thing I have ever seen
— Michael Carter (@Michael33150706) May 13, 2016
@grrrgraphics Your ass is trash for this. Michelle Obama is 10 more classier than Melania Trump will ever be. This is very disrespectful.
— MeMe (@iheartmylife82) May 14, 2016
@GrrrGraphics Congratulations! You win the award for cartoonist with the tackiest, most racist, & rude “satire” cartoons. #NotTrumpsAmerica
— Lisa E. Papp (@lisapapp) May 14, 2016
Taking a look at the rest of the political cartoonist’s Twitter posts, Garrison seems to be targeting hot-button issues like trans rights in order to rile up Social Justice Warriors (SJWs) while simultaneously galvanizing his own conservative far-right base. Michelle Obama and Melania Trump are just two of several targets he’s taken a swipe at lately — though these two particular targets are getting him some of his most attention yet.
My face when @DrTGIF gets over 1,000,000 views for @GrrrGraphics original work! pic.twitter.com/rxeMdkANXQ
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 14, 2016
And the Fascists are here…#ronpaul warned us- #SJW ready to shut down #FreedomOfSpeech pic.twitter.com/6IF7P6MW84
— GrrrGraphics (@GrrrGraphics) May 14, 2016
Thank U to all the many,many new followers-0 unfollows! Here’s a #cartoon for the triggered #crybullies #DealWithIt pic.twitter.com/MoCaMD30l0
— GrrrGraphics (@GrrrGraphics) May 14, 2016
New on #eBay #Trump #AdultinRoom signed #BenGarrison #cartoon #print #Trump2016 https://t.co/D9Tt0NkAWT pic.twitter.com/WtzJWZ13FH
— GrrrGraphics (@GrrrGraphics) May 13, 2016
#InTrumpsAmerica Americas will have their voices heard #politicallycorrect dragon destroyed https://t.co/IrlpfLJck6 pic.twitter.com/AnCm1lFeZy
— GrrrGraphics (@GrrrGraphics) May 13, 2016
Do you think the political cartoon depicting a masculine Michelle Obama next to a idealized feminine version of Melania Trump crossed a line?
[Image via Chip Somodevilla and Win McNamee/Getty Images]