03 April 2023 , 21:57
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When Donald Trump is formally arrested on Tuesday he will be booked, fingerprinted and get a mugshot taken.
Although mugshots are not normally released by authorities before conviction, many have been left wondering if Trump might seek to have the picture released himself.
Within minutes of word of his indictment breaking, his 2024 presidential campaign was sending fundraising messages off the news.
And experts believe he or his team might take advantage of the mugshot as many politicians have done in the past.
If released it will be published by papers across the world, and could become one of the most famous images of the 21st century.
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The imminent arrest of a former president is a historic first for the US.
Former US president Donald Trumps motorcade leaves LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York (AFP via Getty Images)Craig Agranoff, a Florida-based marketing executive, told MarketWatch: “It could become the cultural icon of our time."
It could end up on flags, clothes, mugs and other merchandise.
What is a moment of shame for many suspects hasn’t always been the same for politicians. Some have given large smiles in their mugshot.
They’ve tried to frame the moment as a political boon, looking to boost their popularity with supporters who see them as being unfairly targeted.
A policeman waves at former US President Donald Trump as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport ahead of flying to New York for Trump's arrest (AFP via Getty Images)Trump's campaign is selling “I Stand With Trump” T-shirts, and have said they raised millions in grassroots donations since his arrest was imminent.
Trump has already said he will give a public speech in Florida the evening of his arrest on Tuesday.
The politicisation of mugshots was trail blazed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry when he surrendered to authorities for his own mug shot in 2014.
Clad in a snappy dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, Perry removed his then-signature black glasses — as mandated by county rules — and offered a smirking half smile in his 2014 mug shot.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower the day before his expected arrest (GC Images)The Republican was facing abuse of power charges over a veto that prosecutors said he issued to settle political scores. But the governor did his best to convey that he considered the case a waste of time.
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A group of cheering supporters gathered outside and, when he emerged, Perry told them, “We will prevail.” He then went for vanilla ice cream at a nearby soft-serve joint in Austin, Texas, and of himself and his lawyers hoisting their own cones under the caption, “And then, ice cream.”
Trump faces indictment on charges relating to 'hush money' payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
While the payments themselves were not illegal, the way Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen's reimbursement was recorded in accounts has caused the 45th president some trouble.
Trump has now been accused of falsifying his business records by recording the payments as legal fees.