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| Reuters |
In the photo, Trump appears wearing a red tie, impeccable hair, and a furrowed brow, taken during his arrest on multiple charges of serious crimes in a case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 elections.
Both his supporters and campaign team have embraced the image, considering it a political symbol and a way to highlight the accusations against him as politically motivated.
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On the other hand, critics view the photo as a symbol that he is finally facing the legal consequences of his actions.
Trump's fundraising committee, Save America, is selling products featuring the image, including T-shirts, coasters, and coffee mugs. His son, Donald Trump Jr., is also marketing items like T-shirts with the phrase "Free Trump" and posters.
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group founded by Republicans, is also selling merchandise with the image, such as glasses.
Trump's mugshot image could become a significant fundraising generator for his campaign, according to some political strategists.
While it might seem surprising that the campaign is celebrating his prosecution, some analysts suggest that his followers might see it as a way to show support despite the allegations against him.
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Merchandising has been a recurring strategy for Trump's campaigns, and it's estimated that they have spent millions on marketing and product sales operations since 2015.
Chris LaCivita, a campaign co-director for Trump, mentioned that their team has sought to turn the accusations into something positive and has tried to capitalize on the situation.
It's important to note that the Trump campaign warns against the unauthorized use of the image for profit by third parties.