Cartoonist Thomas Nast portrayed Boss William Tweed as a vulture feeding on the city of New York to highlight his corrupt and exploitative practices. Nast was known for his political cartoons that exposed political corruption and advocated for social reform. In the 1870s, Tweed was the corrupt leader of Tammany Hall, a powerful political machine in New York City. He used his political influence to amass a great deal of wealth through fraudulent schemes, bribery, and embezzlement. Nast's portrayal of Tweed as a vulture symbolized how Tweed preyed upon the city and its resources, using his power and influence for personal gain. By depicting Tweed in such a negative light, Nast aimed to raise awareness and mobilize public sentiment against the corrupt political practices of the era.
