TEHRAN – At a press conference in Tehran on Monday, organizers announced that the Trumpism International Cartoon and Caricature Contest will be held in the near future, highlighting the importance of satire as a means of resistance.
Organized by the Arts and Film Organization for Sacred Defense and Resistance, the event will remain firmly rooted in confronting and criticizing US President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies, said Mohammad Yashar Naderi, the organization’s president.
The event also aims to expose the destructive nature of the regime’s actions and engage artists from around the world in this ideological struggle through powerful visual commentary, he added.
He also emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to its revolutionary principles, especially through the Trumpism contest.
Naderi stressed that the contest was inspired by the explicit statements of Islamic revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who emphasized the need for ideological resistance to US policies.
He pointed out that President Trump’s personality embodies the logic of power in which national interests and superiority are prioritized above all else. Policies enacted under his leadership, such as the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, UNESCO, and the Iran nuclear deal, are clear examples of disregard for international law and world order. According to Naderi, these actions reveal the true nature of American imperialism, which relies heavily on economic sanctions, media manipulation, and military intervention to maintain control.
Naderi stressed that President Trump’s approach is characterized by aggressive interventionism and reliance on economic warfare, including sanctions and covert operations against various countries. This contest therefore seeks to challenge this narrative, highlighting that satire and caricature are powerful universal languages that can resist silence in the face of injustice. This contest is not just about criticizing individuals, but confronting entire structures of global hegemony that are rooted in greed, racism, and violence.
Naderi emphasized that satire has the ability to reveal uncomfortable truths and that through this art form, the international community can resist oppressive forces that seek to manipulate and control.
Meanwhile, Seyed Masoud Shojai Tabatabai, secretary general of the contest, explained that the first edition of the contest was held in 2017, coinciding with President Trump’s inauguration, and the second edition in 2019 attracted participants from 79 countries, reflecting the country’s growing international influence.
The contest themes focus on key issues such as President Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, withdrawal from the JCPOA, imposition of sanctions, racial politics, family separation policies, and environmental neglect, each depicting the destructive effects of US imperialism and hegemonic ambitions.
He noted that the contest has attracted extensive coverage, especially from Western and Zionist media outlets, which recognize the power of cartoons and caricatures as effective tools of protest.
He concluded that visual art forms like comics can transcend language barriers, resonate with audiences around the world, influence public opinion, and raise awareness about the nature of U.S. policy.
Participants are accepting submissions until December 13th.
SAB/