Creator of the Dilbert comic strip passed away today, at age 68, following a protracted battle with prostate cancer. Scott Adams was, and perhaps will continue to be, a cultural and social enigma. He charmed people of all ages and persuasions with Dilbert, which started its syndication run in April 1989 (officially ending in March 2023).
But during Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, he took on a different role: Political and societal agitator, for his sharp wit and astute analysis that antagonized many on the Left and galvanized others on the Right. For example, he astutely identified how “The Donald” chose not to play by the rules of political norms during debates with his Republican rivals, many of whom he reduced to demeaning nicknames.
Among them: Little Marco, referring to Marco Rubio. Interestingly, Rubio, as Secretary of State and acting National Security Advisor, has emerged as one of Trump’s most successful Cabinet choices. Little Marco takes on a big role, with surprising statesmanship that may make him President in some future election; even 2028.
In 2015 and 2016, Adams effectively explained candidate Trump’s tactics and rightly gauged where the nation headed in an election that turned Hillary Clinton’s dreams of the Oval House into a debris field that metaphorically resembles something of the current state of the East Wing (In 2025, President Trump had it leveled to build in its place a grand ballroom).
As a political and social commentator, Adams antagonized the Left with insight that consistency proved to be right—conceding nothing to detractors. Of course, his Right-leaning fanbase grew, although I never perceived that to be his intention. Adams said what he believed to be true, and, well, prove him wrong. Often, his opponents could command no such feat.
While a regular Dilbert reader, I was in the 2010s and 20s considerably more intrigued by Adams, his insight, his wit, and his ability to obliterate opposing viewpoints (mainly stated by overly emotional folk on the Left). I didn’t fault Adams for supporting Trump, as so many people around did or would have. I love a good verbal brawl, and Scott Adams was a perennial winner.
His sickness was public knowledge, and an end was certain. I am saddened to see it come. On January 7, 2026, I stopped to look at the newest additions to the Alley Art Gallery. There I saw someone had placed a familiar plushie—Catbert, from the Dilbert comic strip. I took out Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and shot the Featured Image, intentionally for the day Scott Adams died. Sigh. Here it is. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 50, 1/400 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 2:30 p.m. PST.
Goodbye, Scott Adams. You leave us too soon.