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.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Renowned Photographer's Resignation Over Ford Foundation's Decision

The paragraph discusses the resignation of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, David Hume Kennerly, from the Gerald Ford Foundation's board in protest. Kennerly accuses the organization of aiding and abetting Donald Trump by refusing to honor former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump. Kennerly believes Cheney's rejection was due to the foundation's fear of retribution from Trump. He emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and expresses his commitment to ensuring Trump's non-election. Kennerly also highlights Cheney's role on the front lines of freedom and criticizes the foundation's decision based on concerns over its nonprofit status.

05:00

🚫 Kennerly's Critique of Foundation's Fear and Future Implications

In this paragraph, Kennerly expands on his reasons for resigning, expressing disappointment in the Ford Foundation's reliance on the excuse of potential legal risks to avoid making a political statement. He points out the irony, considering Dick Cheney's past receipt of the award while being a vice presidential candidate. Kennerly reflects on his experiences with various presidents and contrasts their characters with Trump's. He shares his surprise at the overwhelmingly positive reaction to his resignation and praises Cheney's courage. The paragraph concludes with an acknowledgment of Kennerly's significant role in documenting American history and his gratitude for the support he has received for his decision.

Keywords

💡Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award in journalism, literature, and music. In the context of the video, it highlights the credibility and professional standing of David Hume Kennerly, the photographer in question, indicating his significant contributions and recognition in the field of photography and journalism.

💡David Hume Kennerly

David Hume Kennerly is a renowned photographer who has captured images of multiple U.S. presidents and significant historical moments. His decision to step down from the Gerald Ford Foundation's board in protest is a central theme of the video, emphasizing his stance on political integrity and support for Liz Cheney.

💡Gerald Ford Foundation

The Gerald Ford Foundation is an organization named after the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford. It is involved in public service and other initiatives related to Ford's legacy. In the video, the foundation's decision not to honor Liz Cheney is a point of contention and protest by David Hume Kennerly.

💡Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney is a Republican Congresswoman and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. She has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump. The video discusses the Gerald Ford Foundation's refusal to honor her, which is a central issue for David Hume Kennerly's protest and resignation.

💡Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United States and a controversial figure in American politics. In this video, he is portrayed as a figure of fear and retribution, with the Gerald Ford Foundation allegedly avoiding actions that might incur his wrath.

💡Rule of Law

The rule of law is a principle of governance in which the rule of law is the primary source of authority, as opposed to the rule of man, where authority derives from the will of an individual leader. In the video, Kennerly expresses concern that Trump's refusal to enforce court rulings undermines the rule of law, which is essential for a functioning democracy.

💡Public Service

Public service refers to the work of individuals, groups, or organizations in serving the public good, typically in the interest of society as a whole. In the context of the video, the Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service is an award meant to honor individuals who exhibit strength of character and integrity in their service to the public, which is a central issue in the discussion around Liz Cheney's recognition.

💡Nonprofit Status

A nonprofit status is a tax-exempt classification for organizations that are dedicated to furthering a particular social, educational, religious, or other charitable purpose. In the video, the Gerald Ford Foundation cites concerns about maintaining its nonprofit status with the IRS as a reason for not honoring Liz Cheney, suggesting that political actions could jeopardize this status.

💡Political Critic

A political critic is someone who evaluates and comments on the actions, policies, or decisions of political figures or parties. In the video, Liz Cheney is described as one of Trump's most vocal Republican critics, which is a key reason why she is seen as deserving of the Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service.

💡Fear of Retribution

Fear of retribution refers to the apprehension or concern about negative consequences or punishment as a response to certain actions or behaviors. In the video, the Gerald Ford Foundation's alleged fear of retribution from Trump if they honor Cheney is a central point of Kennerly's criticism and protest.

💡Photographic Documentation

Photographic documentation is the process of capturing and preserving images that represent historical or significant events. In the video, David Hume Kennerly's career as a photographer who documented multiple U.S. presidents and key moments in American history is emphasized, showcasing his unique perspective and contribution to understanding the nation's past.

Highlights

Pulitzer Prize winning photographer David Hume Kennerly resigns from the Gerald Ford Foundation board in protest.

Kennerly accuses the organization of aiding and abetting Donald Trump through his resignation letter.

The foundation is criticized for refusing to honor former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney.

Kennerly believes Cheney was rejected due to the group's fear of retribution from Trump.

Liz Cheney is known as one of Trump's most vocal Republican critics.

Kennerly discusses the importance of a president enforcing the rulings of the courts and the rule of law.

The photographer pledges to do whatever it takes to prevent Trump's election.

Cheney is praised for being on the front lines of freedom by Kennerly.

Kennerly's decision to resign is motivated by the foundation not honoring Cheney in the name of Gerald Ford.

The Gerald Ford Medal for Public Service is about strength of character and integrity, which Cheney embodies.

The foundation cites legal risks and potential loss of nonprofit status as reasons for not giving the medal to Cheney.

Kennerly points out the hypocrisy, noting Dick Cheney received the award during a re-election campaign.

The fear of a possible future President Trump is seen as the driving force behind the foundation's decision.

Kennerly's resignation has received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Kennerly's support for Cheney is a stand for the country and its democracy.

The photographer's career and his behind-the-scenes access to U.S. presidents is highlighted.

Kennerly's decision to step down is a reflection of his admiration for Liz Cheney's courage.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of documenting history and the role of Kennerly in doing so.

Transcripts

Pulitzer Prize winning photographer

David Hume Kennerly

stepping down in protest

from his role

on the board of the Gerald

Ford Foundation.

He's accusing the organization

of, quote, aiding

and abetting Donald Trump.

In a resignation

letter letter

submitted earlier this week, Kennerly

called out the foundation

for refusing to honor former

Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney

Kennerly believes she was rejected

because the group fears

retribution from Trump.

Cheney, of course, has been

one of Trump's

most vocal Republican critics

The other thing

that people have to realize is

what it means

if a president of the United States

won't enforce the rulings of our courts.

And that is absolutely what he's

he said he will do.

He's going to war with the rule of law.

And a president who won't enforce the law

creates a situation where

where things just unravel right now.

And in this election cycle,

I'll do whatever

I have to do to make sure Donald

Trump's not elected.

So Kennerly

says in

his resignation letter,

the country is fortunate

to have Cheney, quote, still out there.

On the front lines of freedom, unquote.

And David Hume Kennerly joins me now.

David, good morning.

Good evening.

I should say to you

right here in Los Angeles,

and I think you are

at the end of your day.

I really appreciate you

taking the time to be here

and to help us understand

what went on here, because I have to say

and we can start

big, big picture with this

and then we can

we can dig into your career

and what this means from

from that perspective.

But they basically

it sounds like they did this

because they are afraid of retribution

from a possible future President Trump.

And honestly, that reasoning was what

struck me as part of the most chilling,

one of the most chilling things

about what we saw here

Right.

I think that's true.

It's not like I'm trying to napalm

the Ford Foundation.

It's

this is a microcosm, really, of what's

going on around the country.

And people are fearful

that they're there.

They're hunkering down

they're not stepping up.

And when you look at lives as an example,

and you have to understand,

I've known Liz since she was a little kid

and she's always had a lot of resolve.

And it's very clear right now.

But, yeah, that's the big problem where

people are worried about something

that hasn't even happened yet

and may never happen, hopefully.

But

well,

I just keep my eye on on

what Liz is doing.

And I wanted to see the organization

in the name of Gerald Ford

honor this this is the kind of thing that

he would have stood up for.

And the whole idea of the Gerald Ford

Medal for Public Service

is about strength

of character and integrity.

And she's like the poster child

for this award.

I mean, I don't see where anyone else

should have gotten it.

And so

we had a big falling out

over this whole thing.

And they wrote that

the executive committee concluded

that giving the medal to her in the 20,

24 election cycle

might be construed

as a political statement

and expose the foundation

to the legal risk

of losing its nonprofit status

with the IRS.

They were concerned

about their fiduciary duty.

This also seems to expose

how other organizations profit for profit

companies as well, may be thinking

about the potential ramifications

of another Trump presidency.

I mean, David,

how do you see that,

especially considering,

you know,

when you were

Ford's photographer

and we can show our viewers

what it was like for you

to be behind the scenes working with him

and some of the beautiful photographs

you took,

not just of Ford, but of many presidents

into the future.

As as you have documented

so much of our collective history

over the course of the last 40 years

for Ford and what was

going on with Nixon as well

and the way

he played a role in trying to unite

the country

and also to keep its democracy intact.

There does seem to be

some particular symbolism here.

Well, going back to the

the award and the nonprofit status,

which they're kind of leaning on that one

they should have thought about 2004,

where the

then vice

presidential candidate,

Dick Cheney, father of Liz

was given that award by the foundation.

And he was

they were

going into a second term,

but he was a candidate for V.P.

with George W Bush.

And

so it's Liz never declared her candidacy.

No, one.

And they just kind of pulled

this one out.

I know this is what was bugging him.

And that's

this is the crutch they're leaning on

But

this is why I just

I quit and I'm not a quitter.

And President Ford

would have been ashamed of this,

quite frankly.

I mean,

I can't imagine a more different human

being in Gerald Ford than Donald Trump.

And

as you mentioned,

I've photographed

every president since LBJ.

So I know what they look like

and how they act and how they do things.

When you say it's a crutch,

I mean, what's really going on

They're afraid of Donald Trump.

That's what's going on.

That's what Liz is saying.

It's a fact.

So I've been really heartened

actually at this.

I got no pleasure out of doing this.

I mean, I I'm not an in front of the I'm

a behind the camera person, not a

front person. And

they're afraid people.

But the reaction I've gotten to this,

which I'm kind of stunned, really,

is that like 99% positive.

It's hard to imagine.

I mean,

no one agrees on anything anymore.

It's absurd.

I've just had a real outpouring

of support and

but really,

it's for the country and it's for Liz.

And she's the leader of the pack.

And I admire her.

I mean, she's got real courage.

Well, David, I mean, you

I've seen you out with Liz Cheney,

as you've documented parts of her life.

And, you know,

I obviously learned so much from you

watching you cover

presidential campaigns early on.

In my career.

And it really did resonate.

It stuck out to me when I saw that

that you had made the decision

to do this, considering

how much you've seen so far.

Our for our viewers

who as you as you say,

you are usually behind the camera.

I'm not sure our viewers probably realize

how many of your images

they actually know and are familiar with.

And so I'm very grateful

to have you here today

and grateful for the role

that you've played for all of us

in documenting history.

So thank you for taking some

time this morning.

Thank you very much.

All right.

David Hume Kennerly, thank you.