Newsday Faces Backlash Over Offensive Cartoon

A Long Island newspaper has issued an apology for a political cartoon related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, sparking outrage for what many deemed a “sneaky” and “insensitive” portrayal.

Newsday confirmed it published a cartoon on Saturday featuring an empty chair in a tent labeled “Charlie Kirk” along with a cryptic phrase “Evive Me Forn.” They later acknowledged that this cartoon was never supposed to be featured.

The image also directed attention to the seat marked “Turning Point USA,” a conservative organization co-founded by Kirk.

Created by Pulitzer finalist Chip Bock, the cartoon quickly ignited anger among community members. Suffolk County Republican Jesse Garcia criticized the publication, stating, “Newsday – Long Island’s only daily paper has made a mockery of tragedy and heightened political tensions with this inappropriate cartoon.” He added that this wasn’t journalism but rather a “reckless, partisan attack” affecting freedom of speech.

The backlash led Garcia to demand the removal of the cartoon from all platforms, a termination of Bock’s contract, and a formal apology to Kirk’s family and Newsday’s readership. He urged a boycott against the paper’s advertisers and subscribers, highlighting the dangers of normalizing hate through such publications.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman echoed similar sentiments, calling the cartoon “despicable” and indicative of a loss of journalistic integrity from Newsday.

On September 10th, during an event, Kirk faced questions about mass shootings involving transgender individuals. A dramatic incident unfolded when he appeared to react to a gunshot from the audience, with the assailant later identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old student.

In light of the criticism, Newsday removed the cartoon from its digital platforms and expressed regret over the publication. In a statement, they admitted, “We deeply regret this mistake and sincerely apologize to Charlie Kirk’s family and everyone affected.” They emphasized that the cartoon should not have been published.

While some lawmakers accepted the apology, others remained dissatisfied. A Suffolk GOP representative acknowledged the newspaper’s admission of error but still expressed disappointment over the initial decision to publish the cartoon.

One reader lamented, “How can I come back now?” indicating a broader disappointment with the editorial choices made by the paper. Meanwhile, there remains uncertainty about Bock’s ongoing relationship with the publication.

At the time of this report, Newsday had not provided further comment.