It was well known that Donald Trump's mugshot would be historic, being the first president to undergo this process prior to a formal indictment, but also controversial and viral. However, perhaps the best word to describe Trump's mugshot would be profitable.
In just three days, the image of Trump captured at the Fulton County jail earned the former president $7.1 million. This was stated by spokesman Steven Cheung, who also described last Friday as "the highest grossing day of the entire campaign."
"Organic money has skyrocketed." Cheung explained that part of that success was due to Trump himself, who is currently leading in the polls, sharing the photo on X (Twitter), his first post on the platform in over two years, accompanied by a link to donate to his campaign:
https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT pic.twitter.com/Mcbf2xozsY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2023
The image also appears on the campaign website for donations, under a message from Trump himself: "At the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME." The text goes on to argue that this had constituted a "travesty of justice and election interference" and asks for donations to "evict Crooked Joe Biden from the White House."
Trump's team has also put the photo up for sale on stickers, mugs, koozies, posters and more. At the moment, it remains unknown how much revenue these new products have generated.
🇺🇸🚨ATTENTION PATRIOTS:
Donald Trump is selling a shirt with his mugshot on his official campaign website. Anybody who knows Trump well enough to have seen the photo knew that he was going to immediately commodify it. Please buy that shirt to actually support him and his… pic.twitter.com/pdTRbXapg5
— John Doyle (@ComradeDoyIe) August 25, 2023
Donald Trump Jr. has also tried to capitalize on the photo. In his own online store, the son of the former president is selling various products with the image. Trump Jr. clarified that he will donate at least some of the proceeds to his father's legal team.
I’m donating all profits from these to the legal defense fund. I’m sure others will profit from merch but I’m just doing what I can to help. This will make the boat parades awesome.
Free Trump Flag - 3'x5' – Shop Don Jr. https://t.co/Dr1IVtMfpD
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 27, 2023
There have also been less official efforts to monetize the mugshot: from birthday cards and shower curtains on Etsy, to a big-headed doll produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame.
Beyond the monetary returns, the goal of the strategy is clear, and apparently successful: Trump's face everywhere.
Congratulations Democrats
President Donald J. Trump has reached #GangGang Status
Trump’s #mugshot mural in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/SvmQ5UM7YX
— ♱🇺🇸𝕄𝔸𝔾𝔸 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒚 ن (@45LVNancy) August 27, 2023
Somebody in Las Vegas had Trump's mugshot tattooed on his thigh (via Vegas Vic Tattoos IG:vegasvic_tattoos) pic.twitter.com/DlQsRzK9yo
— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) August 26, 2023
Yes. You really can buy a Trump mugshot candle 😂 pic.twitter.com/wPsDsCkFXb
— Paul Harper (@impaulharper) August 26, 2023
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What the chicken nuggets in my microwave see at 3AM: pic.twitter.com/4nzuueZwuS
— Kristi Yamaguccimane (@TheWapplehouse) August 25, 2023
The threat on this man's life is real and active. Tucker focused on this and others have as well.
Donald Trump posts mugshot meme with guns pointed at his face saying 'Soros' and 'pedophiles'https://t.co/zYrg6k5bZj pic.twitter.com/WzrsWdUSCs
— 🇺🇲Salty Texan (@texan_maga) August 25, 2023
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