Feiffer on President Johnson
Of the presidents he satirized, Feiffer felt most betrayed by Lyndon Johnson (1908–1973). Early on, Feiffer’s admiration for Johnson’s domestic achievements interfered with his caricatures. “As a political satirist,” he acknowledged, “my pen only works where it can hurt.” With the escalation of the Vietnam War, Feiffer’s image of Johnson coalesced. Following the July 1967 civil disorders in Newark and Detroit, Feiffer drew this cartoon, for which the White House requested an autographed original. Feiffer refused.
Of the presidents he satirized, Feiffer felt most betrayed by Lyndon Johnson (1908–1973). Early on, Feiffer’s admiration for Johnson’s domestic achievements interfered with his caricatures. “As a political satirist,” he acknowledged, “my pen only works where it can hurt.” With the escalation of the Vietnam War, Feiffer’s image of Johnson coalesced. Following the July 1967 civil disorders in Newark and Detroit, Feiffer drew this cartoon, for which the White House requested an autographed original. Feiffer refused.