Donald Trump has framed and hung his own mugshot in a West Wing hallway just outside the Oval Office, making the infamous image a centerpiece of his presidency.
The booking photo, appearing as a New York Post front page, was first noticed during Trump’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. The framed image, showing Trump scowling at the camera, was later confirmed by press photographers.
A symbol of defiance
via REUTERS
Trump’s mugshot was taken at Fulton County Jail in August 2023 when he surrendered on racketeering and conspiracy charges related to the 2020 election. After being released on a $200,000 bond, he condemned the case as a “travesty of justice.”
Rather than shying away from the image, Trump and his campaign used it to their advantage. Within 24 hours of its release, his team raised over $4 million by selling merchandise featuring the mugshot with the phrase: “Never Surrender!”
An uncanny resemblance
The mugshot bears a striking resemblance to Trump’s official presidential portrait, released last month. Both images capture him staring down the camera with raised eyebrows and a stern expression. The only notable difference is the color of his tie—blue in the official portrait instead of red.
Modi visits White House
AFP via Getty Images
On Thursday, Modi became the fourth world leader to visit Trump during his second term. The two leaders exchanged praise, with Modi even suggesting a slogan inspired by Trump’s: “Make India Great Again.”
During their meeting, Trump described Modi as a “great leader” and promised to address trade imbalances between the U.S. and India. The visit marked a rare unscripted interaction for Modi, who has largely avoided press conferences throughout his tenure.
