Donald Trump shares own mug shot on social media as he releases defiant statement urging supporters: 'Never surrender'
Donald Trump's mug shot was taken at Fulton County Jail in Georgia
REUTERS
Donald Trump shared his own mug shot on social media today, after being booked at Fulton County Jail in Georgia.
The former Republican President, who is hoping to once again be his party's candidate for the next election, handed himself over after having been charged by the state of Georgia on a number of counts related to his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.
In his picture, a suited-up Trump wearing his trade-mark red tie scowls furiously at the camera.
While the ex-President has face multiple criminal charges already over his conduct following Joe Biden's victory in 2020, this is the first time he has had to pose for a booking photo.
Donald Trump shared the mug shot on social media
REUTERS
Unlike the other authorities, who gave him a pass, Georgia opted to process him like any other criminal defendant, including fingerprints and a mug shot.
He was also weighed at 13 stones and 3 pounds, measured at 6ft 3, and given a prisoner identification number: P01135809.
The 77-year-old was then ordered to pay 10 percent of his $200,000 bail in order to be released.
Sharing his own image on social media, Trump gave a message to his supporters.
Trump's journey to Georgia was closely followed by the media
REUTERS
He said: "ELECTION INTERFERENCE! NEVER SURRENDER!"
It was the first time that the 45th US President has shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in two and a half years.
Trump's account was permanently suspended by the platform in January 2021 amid the fallout from the storming of the US Capitol.
His account was reinstated in November last year when Elon Musk bought the platform, but the former President had not used it until sharing his mug shot.
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As well as social media, Trump also shared the mug shot on his campaign website.
In an appeal for donations he said he had been "arrested despite having committed no crime".
Trump supporters gathered outside the Fulton County Jail in protest at the charges.
They accused the allegations of being politically motivated and argued that a mug shot was unnecessary.