BlackCommentator.com April 14, 2016 - Issue 649: Trump Steals Carlos Latuff Cartoon - Publisher's Notes By Peter Gamble, BC Publisher

April 14, 2016 - Issue 649

Trump Steals
Carlos Latuff Cartoon

"Perhaps some people will think my use
of the word 'steal' in the title of this piece
is too strong. However, when a person takes
the work of an artist without permission,
removes the creator's name and claims it as
their own, I believe that is stealing and
the action is that of a thief."

On Friday, April 8, 2016 Donald Trump tweeted a photoshopped political cartoon that was originally produced for Middle East Eye. The cartoon was created by Carlos Lautff of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil whose work is featured by BlackCommentator.com on a regular basis. The original cartoon (seen below) portrayed Gulf sheikhs on the one hand approving of Syrian rebels and on the other refusing to accept refugees fleeing the war in Syria.

Trump never asked for permission to use the cartoon, removed the artist's name and then photoshopped it in order to change its meaning. The tweet (below) was captured by @DiCristo13.

Trump's tweet has since been re-shared nearly 4,000 times.

Artist Latuff posted the cartoons side-by-side and said Trump "should care about [copyright] laws" and "This is NOT IMITATION it's a DISTORTON of the original artwork." Latuff is currently consulting an attorney.

Perhaps some people will think my use of the word "steal" in the title of this piece is too strong. However, when a person takes the work of an artist without permission, removes the creator's name and claims it as their own, I believe that is stealing and the action is that of a thief.

BlackCommentator.com Publisher and Chief Technical Officer Peter Gamble, is the recipient of a national Sigma Delta Chi award for public service in journalism and numerous other honors for excellence in reporting and investigative reporting. The “beats” he covered as a broadcast journalist ranged from activism in the streets to the State Department and White House. The lure of a personal computer on his desk inspired a career change in 1985 and an immersion into what he saw as the future of communications. The acquisition of computer programming skills made it possible for Peter to achieve an important level of self-reliance in the technology of the 21st century and to develop BlackCommentator.com. Contact Peter.