Pulitzer Prize winner quits Ford Foundation over group’s refusal to honor Liz Cheney

Summary

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly resigned from the Gerald Ford Foundation's board in protest, accusing the organization of aiding Donald Trump by refusing to honor Liz Cheney, a vocal Republican critic of Trump. Kennerly believes the foundation's decision was driven by fear of retribution, highlighting a broader issue of organizations avoiding confrontation due to potential future political ramifications. He argues Cheney embodies the values of the Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service and criticizes the foundation for prioritizing its nonprofit status over upholding integrity and character.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly resigns from the Gerald Ford Foundation's board in protest.
• 📜 Kennerly's resignation letter accuses the organization of aiding and abetting Donald Trump by not honoring Liz Cheney, a vocal Republican critic of Trump.
• 🚫 The foundation's refusal to honor Cheney is seen as a fear of retribution from Trump, which Kennerly finds chilling.
• 🏛️ Kennerly emphasizes the importance of enforcing court rulings and the rule of law, which he believes Trump is at war with.
• 🌟 He praises Cheney for her courage and leadership, considering her as a symbol of strength, character, and integrity.
• 🤝 Kennerly has known Cheney since she was young and has documented significant moments in U.S. political history through his photography.
• 🏅 The Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service, which Cheney was deemed unsuitable for, is usually awarded for character and integrity.
• 📈 The foundation cites legal risks and potential loss of nonprofit status as reasons for not giving the medal to Cheney during the 2024 election cycle.
• 🔄 Kennerly points out the hypocrisy, noting that Dick Cheney received the award in 2004 while being a vice presidential candidate.
• 💪 Kennerly's resignation has been met with a 99% positive response, showing widespread support for his stance.

Q & A

Who is David Hume Kennerly and why is he stepping down from his role?

David Hume Kennerly is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who is stepping down from his role on the board of the Gerald Ford Foundation in protest, accusing the organization of aiding and abetting Donald Trump.

What is Kennerly's main issue with the Gerald Ford Foundation?

Kennerly's main issue with the Gerald Ford Foundation is its refusal to honor former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, which he believes is due to the group's fear of retribution from Trump.

Why was Liz Cheney not honored by the foundation?

The foundation decided not to honor Liz Cheney because they felt that giving her the Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service in the 2024 election cycle might be seen as a political statement and expose the foundation to the legal risk of losing its nonprofit status with the IRS.

What does Kennerly believe about the current state of the United States under Trump's potential future presidency?

Kennerly believes that if Trump were to become president again, he would go to war with the rule of law, creating a situation where things could unravel. He is committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure Trump is not elected.

What does Kennerly think about the Ford Foundation's stance on the situation?

Kennerly is disappointed with the Ford Foundation's stance, as he believes it is a microcosm of the fear and inaction happening around the country. He thinks the foundation should have honored Liz Cheney for her strength of character and integrity.

How does Kennerly view the reaction to his resignation?

Kennerly has been heartened by the reaction to his resignation, with the majority of responses being positive. He has received an outpouring of support for his actions.

What is Kennerly's relationship with Liz Cheney?

Kennerly has known Liz Cheney since she was a child and has always admired her resolve. He sees her as a leader and a symbol of courage.

What is Kennerly's background in relation to U.S. politics and presidents?

Kennerly has been a photographer for several U.S. presidents since LBJ, including Gerald Ford, and has documented significant parts of American history over the last 40 years.

How does Kennerly compare Trump to Gerald Ford?

Kennerly sees a stark contrast between Trump and Gerald Ford, stating that he cannot imagine a more different human being from Ford than Trump, especially in terms of character and actions.

What precedent is there for awarding the Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service to political figures?

In 2004, Dick Cheney, father of Liz Cheney and then vice presidential candidate, was awarded the medal by the foundation while going into his second term with George W. Bush.

What is Kennerly's final message regarding his decision and the situation?

Kennerly's final message is that his decision to resign was not taken lightly, and he is not a quitter. He believes that President Ford would have been ashamed of the foundation's current actions and that the situation is about standing up for the country and for Liz Cheney.