Trump Ends X Hiatus With Mugshot and Call for Money

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday made his first post to X, formerly Twitter, since January 2021, with an image of his mugshot and a link to his campaign fundraiser.

Trump was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, after surrendering in connection to the criminal indictment brought against him by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The former president is facing 13 counts, accused of attempting to overturn Georgia's presidential election results in 2020.

Unlike his other criminal charges, however, officials snapped a mugshot of Trump while he was booked Thursday. The former president has wasted no time using the picture as a fundraising pull for his 2024 reelection campaign, including in a post to his X account, which read in all caps, "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" and "NEVER SURRENDER!"

Trump also included a link to his campaign's website that directs the user to a fundraising page. It's the first time the former president has utilized his X account since being reinstated to the platform in November 2022, shortly after Elon Musk took control of the site. Trump was banned shortly after the January 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol.

The mugshot was also used in an email sent out by Trump's campaign team Thursday night, in which supporters are asked to make a contribution "to prove that YOU will also NEVER SURRENDER our mission." Those who make at least a $47 donation will receive a T-shirt with the mugshot printed on it.

Trump earlier this month was charged alongside 18 co-defendants, which Georgia prosecutors allege were behind a scheme to flip Trump's loss to President Joe Biden in the state. All defendants listed on Willis' indictment are facing charges related to Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which penalizes those who engage in organized crime.

While speaking to reporters on the tarmac of the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Thursday, Trump called his arrest "a very sad day for America" and again stated his innocence in Willis' investigation.

"We did nothing wrong at all," the former president said. "And we have every right, every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest. And we think it's very dishonest."

Trump has also stood up for some of his closest confidants who have also faced arrest in Georgia. After the mugshot of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was released to the public Wednesday, the former president praised his former personal lawyer in a post on Truth Social. Giuliani worked closely with the former president in the aftermath of the 2020 election and repeatedly amplified baseless claims that the presidency was stolen from Trump.

Newsweek reached out to Trump's campaign via email on Thursday night for comment.

Update 08/24/23, 10:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.