Day 6

From Obama to Trump in two New Yorker magazine covers

Eight years ago, illustrator Bob Staake drew the New Yorker cover marking Barack Obama's election — a rendering of the Lincoln Monument meant to reflect the hope he felt. This week, he drew the cover marking Donald Trump's victory: a red brick wall. Bob Staake walks us through an era in two illustrations in this Day 6 mini-doc.
Bob Staake's Reflection (L), graced the cover of the New Yorker after Barack Obama won his first election in 2008. Staake's The Wall (R) is the cover this week and commemorates Donald Trump's surprise win. (Bob Staake)

Last week, the United States elected Donald Trump, as president and illustrator Bob Staake had a problem on his hands.

He had to throw out all the ideas he was working on for a New Yorker magazine cover marking the first female president and start from scratch.

He succeeded, as he did 8 years ago when Barack Obama was first elected.

That means Bob Staake has welcomed the last two Presidents-Elect and book-ended an era with two high profile covers. 

Click to hear how he came up with the ideas for two very different covers:

Eight years ago, illustrator Bob Staake drew the New Yorker cover marking Barack Obama's election — a rendering of the Lincoln Monument meant to reflect the hope he felt. This week, he drew the cover marking Donald Trump's victory: a red brick wall.