Way More Than TEXAS TRUMPERY: Politically Cartooned

In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, change is a constant. “Way More Than TEXAS TRUMPERY: Politically Cartooned” takes a close look at the transformation of the traditional American Republican Party, a shift brought about by the rise of Donald Trump. M. Scott Byers, an Austin-based political cartoonist, offers a unique perspective on this political metamorphosis, with a decade’s worth of thought-provoking political cartoons that dissect the phenomenon known as “Texas Trumpery.”

For 150 years, the American Republican Party stood as a symbol of conservatism, patriotism, and moral politics. However, as the book’s title suggests, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The Republican Party, as it was known, is no more. In its place, Donald Trump has orchestrated a hostile takeover, reshaping the party’s core values and principles. Byers leaves no room for ambiguity: he views Donald Trump as a nihilistic rogue, an autocratic demagogue whose actions pose a real danger to America’s democracy.

The heart of this collection consists of 240 cartoons spanning 136 pages, each offering a unique and incisive perspective on the state of Texas politics. Byers captures the transformation of Texas, a state that has been one of the most reliably Republican for three decades. While many statewide elected officeholders still bear the Republican label, Byers’ cartoons reveal a sometimes laughable, yet hardly humorous reality.

The cartoons, accompanied by text and cutline, delve into the most pressing issues of the past ten years. Through humor and satire, Byers hopes to convey a crucial message to Texas and national Republicans: a stark warning about the slippery slope into what he calls “The Trumpery.” The cartoons serve as a satirical mirror, reflecting the potential consequences of zoning out under Donald Trump’s influence.