Cartoon of the Day 07-01-2026: Alien Priorities

This cartoon shows a UFO hovering above the Earth, shining a bright beam down like a tractor light. Instead of pulling up people or cattle, it is lifting oil barrels into the spacecraft. On the side of the UFO is the slogan “Make America Great Again,” linking the scene directly to U.S. politics. Inside the glass dome, an alien is calmly operating the craft.

The cartoon uses science fiction to make a point about resource obsession and political branding. By turning the operator into an alien, the artist suggests that the pursuit of oil can appear strange, excessive, or even unnatural — as if it’s being driven by a mindset that feels disconnected from ordinary human concerns. The beam “abducting” oil barrels mocks the idea that global actions are sometimes centred around energy control more than humanitarian or environmental priorities.

At the same time, the cartoon doesn’t argue that oil has no importance. Energy is critical for economies and daily life, and countries do compete for supply and stability. But the exaggerated UFO scene implies that when oil becomes the central focus, it can overshadow other values and make policies look self-serving to the rest of the world.

The use of a campaign slogan adds another layer: it suggests that international decisions may be tied to domestic political messaging. What is framed as national strength at home may be viewed abroad as aggressive or extractive.

Overall, the cartoon blends humour and criticism to question whether the world is being treated like a resource field. It invites viewers to reflect on how power, politics, and oil often travel together — sometimes in ways that feel almost out of this world.