Former US President Donald Trump’s mug shot was released Thursday evening after he was booked at an Atlanta jail on multiple felony charges related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia. The unsmiling mug shot captures Trump glaring at the camera and represents a significant moment in his legal battles.
Shortly after the booking, Trump wasted no time in using the image to his advantage. He posted it on social media platforms like Twitter (now known as X) and his own platform, Truth Social. He even featured the mug shot on his campaign website, accompanied by a message defending his actions and asking for donations.
This X post marks Trump’s return to the platform since his ban after the events of January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the US Capitol. X’s owner, Elon Musk, reinstated Trump’s account last year.
Trump spent a brief 20 minutes at the jail before heading back to his New Jersey golf club. Before departing, he reiterated his claim that the prosecution, along with the other criminal cases he’s facing, is politically motivated. “What has taken place here is a travesty of justice,” he told reporters. “I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it.”
At 77 years old, Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. Surprisingly, these legal troubles have not hindered his popularity within the Republican Party. He currently holds a commanding lead in the Republican race to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election.
Upon Trump’s arrival at the jail, dozens of supporters, waving Trump banners and American flags, gathered to show their support. Among them was Georgia U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump’s most loyal congressional allies.
The image of Trump’s mug shot is sure to circulate widely among both his supporters and opponents. Laura Loomer, a Republican former congressional candidate, even suggested putting it on a T-shirt, predicting that it could become a more popular image than the Mona Lisa.
Trials and Trial Dates
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed a trial date of October 23 for one of Trump’s co-defendants, attorney Kenneth Chesebro, after he requested a speedy trial. However, this schedule does not apply to Trump or any other defendants. Trump’s legal team has yet to propose a trial date, and it is anticipated that they will push for a later start. Trump’s newest Atlanta lawyer, Steven Sadow, has requested a separate trial for Trump.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in the three other criminal cases he faces and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In addition to the Georgia case, Trump also faces federal charges brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, one involving election interference in Washington and another involving retained classified documents in Miami. In total, he faces 91 criminal counts.
For the Georgia case, Trump agreed to post a $200,000 bond and accepted bail conditions that prohibit him from threatening witnesses or co-defendants.
Republicans in control of the US House of Representatives have announced an investigation into whether Willis improperly coordinated with federal prosecutors. They previously launched an investigation into the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, who accused them of a “campaign of intimidation.”
While Trump’s legal battles continue, his rivals in the race for the Republican presidential nomination recently met for their first debate in Milwaukee. Trump, however, skipped the event and participated in a pre-taped interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson to attract viewers.
“I’ve been indicted four times – all trivial nonsense,” Trump told Carlson during the interview.