“Affordability” was the word of the week. President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address to the nation about the economy, blaming former President Joe Biden for inflation and high grocery prices. Trump’s approval rating on the economy dropped to 33%, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Phil Hands leads the editorial cartoon gallery with a riff on “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Tiny Tim says, “Please, Sir. We are very worried about affordability.” Trump/Scrooge replies, “That’s a hoax! Bah! Humbug!” Dana Summers shows Trump trying to sell Americans on the idea the banged-up affordability car will be “purring like a kitten” soon. Joey Weatherford notes that Trump promised a $1,776 bonus to service members. Bill Bramhall’s family is thrilled to receive coal from Santa Claus to heat their home.
Adding to some Americans’ financial pain is the upcoming expiration of health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. In Walt Handelsman’s view, the box containing the Republican health care plan is empty. A new cartoonist, Pedro X. Molina, draws the GOP Santa Claus delivering goodies to Mr. Monopoly while crushing Uncle Sam underfoot.
According to Tribune Content Agency, Molina fled his native Nicaragua during government crackdowns on journalists and government critics. “His courageous work has earned him prestigious honors, including finalist status for the 2024 Herblock Prize and the Vaclav Havel Award for Creative Dissent. Molina’s cartoons appear in major publications across Latin America, the United States and Europe.”
Other topics in the news this week include Trump’s derogatory comments about the slain movie director Rob Reiner; naval actions against Venezuela; the mass shooting at Brown University; and the “unretirement” of 44-year-old NFL quarterback Philip Rivers.
Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Walt Handelsman, Phil Hands, David Horsey, Pedro Molina, Jack Ohman, Joel Pett, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Dana Summers and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Steve Breen, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
Editorial cartoons for Dec. 21, 2025: Trump economy speech, health insurance hikes, Rob Reiner
