Aug 26, 2023 - Politics & Policy

Trump scores huge mug shot windfall

Photo: X

Former President Trump's 2024 campaign had its best day of fundraising yet after the release of his mug shot in Fulton County, aides tell Axios.

The big picture: The iconic image — the first of a U.S. president and representing 13 of Trump's 91 pending criminal counts — took over the internet in the hours after its release.

  • His campaign pulled in $4.18 million on Friday, an official told Axios.
  • Fundraising totaled $7.1 million in the 48 hours since Thursday's release. Politico was first to report on the numbers.
  • The campaign has raised nearly $20 million in the last three weeks, the official said.

Trump previously scored big fundraising wins from bad legal news.

  • The campaign reported a $5 million haul in 48 hours after news of his first indictment, as Axios first reported.
  • Trump has pleaded not guilty to his first three indictments, and proclaims his innocence on the fourth.

Between the lines: Trump mug shot merch is everywhere, and the campaign has laid its claim to the proceeds.

  • "If you are a campaign, PAC, scammer and you try raising money off the mugshot of @realDonaldTrump and you have not received prior permission …WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU ... you will NOT SCAM DONORS," Trump aide Chris LaCivita posted to "X" on Thursday.
  • Trump even broke a two year silence on "X" to post the mug shot himself, along with a link to his fundraising website.
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