WATCH: The 12 Days of WikiLeaks (Cartoon)

On the first day of Christmas, WikiLeaks gave to me…

Illustrations: Zina Saunders

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Mother Jones illustrator Zina Saunders creates editorial animations riffing on the political news and current events of the week. In this week’s animation, she illustrates 12 of WikiLeaks’ most extravagant gifts to reporters, from Julian Assange rap videos to documents about Iranian ninja assassins. (See below for lyrics linked to WikiLeaks-related stories.) And since you ask: Yes, that is Saunders singing.—The Editors

On the first day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the second day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Two maids a-suing
and
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the third day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and a [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the fourth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Four “secret” cables
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and a [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the fifth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
FIVE PALIN EMAILS

On the sixth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Six sheikhs a-fuming

On the seventh day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Seven spooks a-sighing

On the eighth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Eight Iranian ninjas

On the ninth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Nine drunken Kazakhs

On the tenth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Ten climate changers

On the eleventh day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Eleven Assanges rapping

(and the finale)

On the twelfth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Twelve treason charges
Eleven Assanges rapping
Ten climate changers
Nine drunken Kazakhs
Eight Iranian ninjas
Seven spooks a-sighing
Six sheikhs a-fuming
FIVE PALIN EMAILSSS
Four “secret” cables
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

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