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Jessica Brown
Jan 28, 2017

Picture:
Getty
Cartoonist and satirical genius Steve Bell has created a cartoon for the Guardian and it's caused a bit of a stir.
Are you ready?
Here it is:
Steve Bell's disturbing vision of "the special relationship". https://t.co/mU3xgTsQA1— James Melville (@James Melville) 1485473767
As with any satirical cartoon, it's caused a stir, and once again brought up the debate about the boundaries of what's funny, and what's offensive.
People have differing opinions:
This is a very odd editorial call from The Guardian. Would any male PM have been portrayed this way? https://t.co/P4e6Fyg6hs— David Banks (@David Banks) 1485515220
Yeah, OK, so it's a 'clever' update of Gilray's satirical cartoon - it's still disgusting and misogynistic and unfunny. #stevebell #cartoon— seaside_girl89 (@seaside_girl89) 1485584210
Steve Bell cartoon is deeply unpleasant, pretty sure fighting trump/may with misogyny misses the bloody point.— Chris Grice (@Chris Grice) 1485523580
Bell’s cartoon was actually inspired by a cartoon by James Gillray in 1972.
James Gillray, 1792; Steve Bell, 2017. https://t.co/v6aRKmAIms— Gary Kemp (@Gary Kemp) 1485507846
But some are saying that doesn't excuse it:
Oh I see that Steve Bell cartoon can't be offensive because some old man did a similar one a million years ago. Stand down lads.— Josh Lowe (@Josh Lowe) 1485523248
Others loved it:
Sometimes you simply have to just lie back & bask in the brilliance of the master @BellBelltoons cartoon https://t.co/LG4l15vgPQ— Martin Rowson (@Martin Rowson) 1485464658
With many pointing out that it's satirical:
No, this Steve Bell cartoon is NOT offensive, sexist or misogynistic. It's a clever cartoon making a clever point.… https://t.co/slXg3zkdWh— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@Julia Hartley-Brewer) 1485537405
And simply getting people to talk about the state of affairs in modern day politics means it has achieved its purpose:
Steve Bell cartoon on the special relationship: both brilliant & disturbing- sterling work! https://t.co/vgx6QHIGn8— Gareth SAMBROOK (@Gareth SAMBROOK) 1485564662
And brought a smile to one or two faces:
Picture: GuardianÂ
You know when @BellBelltoons just hits the nail on the head? Well… #Trumpelstiltskin https://t.co/uIw5DPs1xf— Owain Gardner 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@Owain Gardner 🇬🇧🇪🇺) 1485546599
While some people just wished they could unsee the mental image it conjures up:
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