Life — December 7, 1911 — page 30: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts President William Howard Taft as Santa Claus, driving a heavily-laden sleigh pulled by an elephant (the Republican Party symbol). The subtitle quotes Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, suggesting Taft is *pretending* to be virtuous or generous. The satire likely critiques Taft's policies or public image—perhaps mocking him as a false benefactor or suggesting his administration was hypocritical in its charitable or progressive claims. The overloaded sleigh and strained elephant suggest the burden or strain of his policies. The winter cabin scene in the background completes the Christmas imagery. Without the publication date visible, the specific grievance remains unclear, though this appears to target Taft's presidency (1909-1913) during a period of significant political controversy.