Overview

• On July 10, Tim Cunningham formalized the professional clown community’s objection to using ‘clown’ as a political insult in a Washington Post op-ed.
• He proposes replacing the term with ‘buffoon’ to preserve clowning’s dignity.
• Professional clowning combines mime, acrobatics and character work to foster empathy among displaced and injured populations.
• Founded in 1995, Clowns Without Borders has performed in Lebanon, Haiti and Myanmar to uplift communities affected by conflict and disaster.
• Public figures including Robert De Niro, Lawrence O’Donnell and James Carville have repeatedly likened President Trump to a clown, prompting the formal rebuke.