Putin and Trump Caricatures Take Top Honors at World Press Cartoon Awards

A sketch of the Statue of Liberty with her mouth closed by stitches, stopping her from talking. If you examine it carefully, you notice that...

A sketch of the Statue of Liberty with her mouth closed by stitches, stopping her from talking. If you examine it carefully, you notice that the lines closing Lady Liberty's mouth are actuallyDonald Trump's famous signature, which the US president enjoys displaying on camera, is signed in black marker each time he finalizes an executive order. It was created by cartoonist Darco, who hails from Montenegro, and appeared in the issue dated 21 March.Monitor magazine.

Won the Grand Prix, it was the top winner of this year'sWorld Press Cartoon, the event that gathers editorial cartoons and highlights the most skilled, the funniest, and the most insightful visuals.

"In my view, Trump has put an end to all the freedoms of the American people and aimed to ensure that each of his signatures silenced all free individuals. He also prohibited the publication of cartoons in prominent daily newspapers like the Washington Post or the New York Times," Darco said to Euronews. "Today, there is very little freedom in global journalism, as newspapers have become private entities and are no longer the independent press they once were. That's why I believe that even the editors and directors of newspapers no longer understand what a cartoon is, what humor is, or what freedom means," he added.

The showcase, which holds the same significance for newspaper design asWorld Press Photois to photography, has made a comeback following a two-year hiatus and has once again appointed Portuguese cartoonist António Antunes as its director.

First held in 2005, the WPC is marking its 20th anniversary by relocating to Palácio Anjos in Algés.

The current version features photographs of the U.S. and Russian leaders, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

"Trump and Putin are naturally prominent, as they have been featured in the news all year. However, we also have other issues in the spotlight, such as climate change or the Gaza Strip," says António Antunes.

The Brazilian cartoonist, who has been the primary illustrator for the weekly magazine for over 50 yearsExpressoand one of the world's most prominent figures in the field of cartooning emphasized the significance of this art form in today's environment: "Given the prevalence of misinformation, restrictions, pressure, cartoonists losing their jobs, and newspapers shutting down, all these factors make the World Press Cartoon an extremely appealing gathering for cartoonists from around the globe," .

Vladimir Putin is illustrated in a cartoon created by German artist Frank Hoppmann, which won the top award in the Caricature category. The piece was featured on the first day of the year's publication.Italienmagazine. Hoppmann had previously claimed the Grand Prix in the 2020 season with a caricature depicting Boris Johnson, the former prime minister of Britain.

Speaking about his unique approach, the German illustrator said to Euronews, "What I enjoy, whether I'm painting or drawing, is to elicit a powerful response, not always a favorable one, but something that engages the audience."

Regarding the threat to press freedom from politicians such as Putin, he isn't overly concerned: "I'm fairly certain that individuals like Putin, Erdogan, or Trump aren't bothered by caricatures, critical illustrations, or independent media. That's our responsibility, which definitely demands some bravery, even when we're at home and relatively safe. Occasionally, we become the focus of hostility, which is quite typical nowadays on social media. However, we must rise above it."

In the end, the first prize in the Humorous Drawing category was awarded to Iranian artist Nahid Maghsoudi, whose cartoon referenced International Women's Day on 8 March. It was published by a Dutch website.Cartoon MovementIt displays a bloodstained burqa on a coat rack, alongside a similarly bloodstained speech bubble, illustrating the suppression of women in certain nations.

The World Press Cartoonexhibition, featuring approximately 300 artworks from different parts of the globe, is on display at the Palácio Anjos in Algés, Portugal, until February 8, 2026.