President Trump has added a new entry to his jaw-dropping death-tribute hall of fame with a self-absorbed homage to “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams. What was framed as a tribute to Scott Adams quickly became something else entirely: another reflection of Donald Trump himself.
Rather than centering Adams’ work, influence, or controversies, Trump used the moment as a familiar platform for self-reference, recounting his own experiences, grievances, and perceived vindications. The tribute functioned less as an examination of Adams and more as a vehicle for Trump’s ongoing personal narrative, one in which nearly every public moment bends back toward his identity, battles, and legacy.
Less than a month after using Truth Social to taunt slain Hollywood director Rob Reiner immediately after his murder, Trump penned a message of “condolences” for the MAGA illustrator, who succumbed to cancer on Tuesday. Adams’ ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Real Coffee with Scott Adams livestream, saying the 68-year-old had passed away in hospice care seven months after he announced he was battling metastatic prostate cancer.
He quickly pivoted to turn the tribute into a flex, however. “He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so,” the 79-year-old president wrote.
“He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you, Scott!” he added.
In November, Adams appealed for help from Trump to obtain the prostate cancer drug Pluvicto. The president promised to intervene and responded on social media to tell Adams he was “on it.”
Adams, a longtime supporter of Trump, saw Dilbert run in 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries at its peak, but his most famous work was later overshadowed by his use of overtly racist language on his podcast.
The president was widely condemned for the post. Even conservative podcaster Joe Rogan slammed it. The “Rob Reiner thing is not funny,” he said.
“Look, there’s no justification for what [Trump] did that makes any sense in a compassionate society. It’s no different than people who were celebrating when Charlie Kirk got shot,” Rogan added.
