Jim Carrey's latest target in his gallery of outrageous portraits is the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt.
The agency's administrator was embroiled in controversy after the EPA approved a Canadian energy company's pipeline expansion plan in March. When the pipeline project got the green light, Pruitt had been renting a fancy but favorably-priced condo that was linked to the company's Washington D.C. lobbying firm.
In the actor's provocative new painting, a caricature of another of Trump's appointees has a pipeline penetrating him from the rear with the pipe's contents spewing from his mouth. "I looked on Trivago. The cheapest room in Washington is a youth hostel with bunkbeds at $81 a night," Carrey tweeted on Thursday. "The $50 room Scott Pruitt got was a bribe from an energy lobbyist. Need your pipeline approved? Do it through Pruitt!"
I looked on Trivago. The cheapest room in Washington is a youth hostel with bunkbeds at $81 a night. The $50 room S… https://t.co/OdUXQUPM5B— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1522952645.0
Actor, comedian, and artist Carrey remains provocative with his depiction of the beleaguered Pruitt, who could be next through the revolving door of the Trump White House.
Pruitt's pipeline portrait is part of a collection taking aim at the Trump administration, which included a mockery of Donald Trump that Carrey shared on social media last week.
He tagged the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and suggested they consider an early submission of a painting of 45 titled, "You Scream. I Scream. Will We Ever Stop Screaming?"
Dear Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery @NPG, I know it’s early but I’d like to submit this as the official port… https://t.co/CtsLPk6Zn7— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1522340853.0
Earlier this week, Carrey pitted conservative pundits Sean Hannity and Alex Jones against each other as pro-wrestlers, suggesting they should join the WWE where their "hyperbole will do less damage to the culture."
If u believe wrestling is real u may even believe Fox news, Info Wars and the robotic drones on Sinclair Broadcasti… https://t.co/7zuImOfQm2— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1522767103.0
Carrey also made this portrait of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, calling her a liar and a monster.
This is the portrait of a so-called Christian whose only purpose in life is to lie for the wicked. Monstrous! https://t.co/MeYLTy1pqb— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1521322547.0
The EPA and lobbying firm Williams & Jensen deny any correlation between the agency's approval of the pipeline expansion and Pruitt's condo leasing agreement, for which he was paying $50 a night.
Liz Bowman, a spokeswoman for the administrator declared, "Any attempt to draw that link is patently false."
However, the New York Times observed that whether or not any favors were accepted or granted, the action "can create an appearance of a conflict."
A spokesman for Williams & Jensen said that the lobbying firm did not intervene with the E.P.A. or Mr. Pruitt on the Enbridge pipeline expansion either before or after Mr. Pruitt was living in the condo owned in part by Vicki Hart, the wife of J. Steven Hart, the chairman of the firm.
The EPA chief is no stranger to controversy. The Trump appointee has been criticized for using public money for travel expenses, including flying first class and staying in luxury hotels.
Pruitt is also often criticized for his environmental views. He's not convinced carbon dioxide from human activity is responsible for climate change, and he denounces climate regulations established during Obama's administration.
Carrey's portrayal of Pruitt had the Internet sounding off on the painter's latest unveiling.
@JimCarrey Another great one, Mr. Jim!! Why can't these corrupt politicians just sleep in their cars.— Debbie Tippit Clark (@Debbie Tippit Clark) 1522952808.0
A couple Twitter users offered better lodging accommodations for the EPA administrator.
@AspieMominator @BretSalzer @JimCarrey .#Pruit: Why not ditch the $50 per night condo and move into your $30,000 s… https://t.co/TOMHiOT9W1— david comfort (@david comfort) 1522954643.0
@DAVIDCOMFORT @CrayKain @AspieMominator @BretSalzer @JimCarrey Steve Scmidt said that if you lived in a van in a pa… https://t.co/SD1c5an8qr— Science Will Save Us (@Science Will Save Us) 1522974609.0
Others praised Carrey's stroke of genius on the canvas.
@JimCarrey You are an artistic genius.— Shoaib Taimur (@Shoaib Taimur) 1522952665.0
@JimCarrey Love your pictures Jim. Right on the money. Keep them coming! Plenty of material in this corrupt administration 😊— gb (@gb) 1522954143.0
@JimCarrey Hey Jim, true art inspires emotions and conversations. You are a true artist! Keep on keeping on. Love it!— Janis White (@Janis White) 1522961069.0
@JimCarrey This one 👏👏👏 https://t.co/qATabFRjVJ— Will Akers (@Will Akers) 1522954187.0
@JimCarrey You are the best! Keep it up!! Love your new avenue of expression!— Erik Scharfenberg (@Erik Scharfenberg) 1522971459.0
@JimCarrey As an actual combat veteran, I support and approve this because this is why we literally threw Steel. To… https://t.co/Cs4s5B5SuU— Bruhffalo Souljah, MSc, CISSP, Sec+ (@Bruhffalo Souljah, MSc, CISSP, Sec+) 1522965595.0
H/T - HuffingtonPost, Twitter, NYtimes