Former President Donald Trump returned to X — formerly known as Twitter — Thursday evening in dramatic fashion, posting a photo of his mug shot taken hours earlier in Fulton County, Georgia, while linking to a landing page for donations.
https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT pic.twitter.com/Mcbf2xozsY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2023
Trump, who was suspended by the social media platform in January 2021, was reinstated by new owner Elon Musk in November 2022. Since then, it has long been speculated how Trump would make his return to the website, which became so associated with his brand and style of politics.
Trump turned himself in to be arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, Thursday evening on multiple felony charges stemming from his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Trump agreed earlier this week to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions with the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. His mugshot was released by the Trump team hours later.
DonaldJTrump.com goes directly to a 2024 fundraising page for the former president
“The American people know what’s going on,” the pitch reads. “What has taken place is a travesty of justice and ELECTION INTERFERENCE.”
Trump has been criticized by his opponents for using campaign funds toward his legal defense related to the four indictments that he is currently facing. Yet some supporters of the president, like CPAC’s Matt Schlapp, have rebutted those claims, arguing that fighting these legal battles is part of “winning.”
“If you are doing poorly due to the sinister people in control of our country right now, don’t even think about donating!” the message from Trump read Thursday night. “But if you can, please make a contribution to evict Crooked Joe Biden from the White House and SAVE AMERICA during this dark chapter in our nation’s history.”
The former president posted similar messages to Meta-owned Instagram and his social media site Truth Social.
In reaction to the surprise post, Daily Wire host Michael Knowles said, “He saved his Twitter comeback for the mugshot. Genius.”
He saved his Twitter comeback for the mugshot. Genius. https://t.co/8PszKFYKQM
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) August 25, 2023
“He’s baaccccckkkk,” country music star John Rich said.
He’s baaccccckkkk👇 https://t.co/53byO2ctHE
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) August 25, 2023