The Pen That Skewers Power: A Conversation with Steve Brodner

Editorial cartoons distill political complexity into a single, unforgettable image. By exaggerating flaws, contradictions, and absurdities, they make power visible—often more effectively than prose.

In this episode of Specifically for Seniors, we sit down with the legendary Steve Brodner, whose fearless illustrations have chronicled American political theater for decades. From the Library of Congress to the pages of The Nation, The Washington Post, and The LA Times,

Brodner’s pen has skewered hypocrisy, exposed corruption, and elevated satire into a form of civic resistance.

As the first artist inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame and the 2024 recipient of the Herb Block Prize, Brodner continues Block’s legacy with wit, precision, and moral clarity. We begin by exploring what drew him to editorial cartooning as a form of civic engagement, and how Herb Block’s groundbreaking influence continues to shape his work. Brodner reflects on the challenge of compressing complex political narratives into a single frame, and shares how he chooses topics, balances humor and anger, and measures the impact of his work—whether through public reaction, editorial reach, or civic discourse.

We also discuss the risks of pushback and censorship, especially in his depictions of Trump and his allies, and take a closer look at one of his earlier works, The Winged Monkeys of Trump, to understand how he avoids caricature fatigue while maintaining sharp critique. Brodner opens up about his evolving Substack page, The Greater Quiet, explaining its shift in tone and motivation, and how listeners can access it at stevebrodner.substack.com.

Throughout the episode, we showcase several of Brodner’s recent illustrations—including Highest Standard of Living, 40 Million, Long COVID, Arc de Trump, and Chinatown—and invite him to unpack the metaphors and civic commentary embedded in each. We also explore the role editorial cartooning plays in resisting authoritarian tendencies, and how the medium can evolve to remain relevant in today’s digital and participatory media landscape.

Brodner offers advice on navigating a polarized media environment, and shares insights on how to view editorial cartoons with greater intelligence and nuance. We close with a look ahead at his upcoming projects, which continue his critique of institutional erosion and his commitment to visual accountability.

This episode is best experienced on YouTube, where Brodner’s illustrations come to life alongside the conversation. His work reminds us that satire isn’t just entertainment—it’s a form of truth-telling, a call to action, and a powerful tool for civic engagement.