The Butler Eagle newspaper in Pennsylvania fired syndicated cartoonist Wiley Miller on Monday after a reader reported a hidden anti-Trump message in Miller's Sunday cartoon. The cartoon tells Trump to "go f*** yourself."
Here is the image of the Non Sequitur comic strip.
— Fran Warren (@FranWarren) February 11, 2019
With the oh-so clever Trump insult pic.twitter.com/rlHwKqbHFj
According to the paper's publisher, newspapers around the country printed the cartoon without having an opportunity to review it.
“A reader brought to our attention that one of the syndicated comic strips which appears in the Sunday Butler Eagle may contain a hidden message which was apparently placed there by someone in the creative department of the creator of the comic strip or the syndication which controls it,” said Ron Vodenichar, Eagle publisher and general manager. “Neither the Butler Eagle nor any other newspaper that includes this strip had an opportunity to remove it even if they had discovered it before distribution."
Wiley also acknowledged the hidden message on Twitter, alerting his followers to the "hide and find" game.
Some of my sharp-eyed readers have spotted a little Easter egg from Leonardo Bear-Vinci. Can you find it?
— Wiley Miller (@TheWileyMiller) February 10, 2019
Non Sequitur for February 10, 2019 | https://t.co/ITjGIYyfyN https://t.co/fDHpxSmAgo via @GoComics
Miller's followers applauded his efforts and some even went as far as to call him a hero.
So stunning and brave
— Gregory M. (@NotGregoryM) February 11, 2019
Well done, sir! I am proud to be a new fan of yours!
— Journey Woman ?? (@JourneyWoman14) February 11, 2019
?????????????????? fantastic! How much for a signed poster of this! #shutupandtakemymoney
— Dusty Brown (@TwoRoaches) February 11, 2019
According to USA Today, Miller's "Non Sequitur" cartoon is published in 700 newspapers across the country.