Trump’s forensic photo, a possible collector
The former US president has until Friday to voluntarily appear in court in Georgia. This time he might not escape the infamous mugshot.
Posted21 August 2023, 07:15
Donald Trump could go down in history in inglorious fashion.
If Donald Trump is photographed this week by police in Georgia as part of his indictment for attempting to manipulate the 2020 election, this snapshot, unprecedented for a former American president, could instantly go down in history. . The 77-year-old Republican has until Friday to voluntarily report to a Georgia court that has charged him under an organized crime law.
Already criminally charged three times in separate cases, Donald Trump has appeared in court in New York, Miami and Washington for his last few months. If he has succeeded so far in escaping the affront of the classic arrest procedure which includes taking fingerprints and taking two photos – one from the front and the other in profile -, Georgia could be less accommodating.
“Whatever your status, we will be ready to take your photo,” Patrick Labat, Fulton County Sheriff, in charge of the case, told the press in early August. Such a diptych, “mugshot” in English, tends to stick to the skin of celebrities who pay the price. Donald Trump could thus join Al Capone, OJ Simpson, Jane Fonda or even Hugh Grant…
Derivatives
One of the most famous court photos in history is indeed that of former football player OJ Simpson, taken by Los Angeles police when they arrested him on suspicion of murdering his wife. ex-wife and her friend.
A week later, she was on the cover of “Time” magazine. Even today, it adorns all kinds of merchandise, from simple t-shirts to electric guitars.
American actress Jane Fonda still sells clothes and coffee mugs with her police portrait, taken in 1970, on her website. Arrested at Cleveland airport for drug trafficking – a charge dropped when tests revealed her suitcase contained only vitamins – she had taken the opportunity to strike a provocative pose, her fist raised, having just returned from Canada where she had just given a speech against the Vietnam War.
“I definitely benefited a lot from this arrest,” the activist actress told the Los Angeles Times in 2018.
Forfeiture
But for many celebrities, such a photo is rather synonymous with decay.
Thus, difficult to recognize Tiger Woods when he was arrested asleep in his car in California in 2017. The ex-golf prodigy had explained that he was under the influence of powerful painkillers, but his puffy face, his messy beard and his haggard eyes have become the symbol of a drift triggered by his back problems.
Similarly, the shaggy hair of actor Nick Nolte, arrested in 2002 while driving under the influence of GHB, revealed the descent into hell of a star named “sexiest man in the world” ten years earlier. “.
Comedian Hugh Grant also made headlines with his sheepish expression in front of the Los Angeles police, who had surprised him in 1995 with a prostitute in a car. At the time, the Brit was in a relationship with actress Liz Hurley.
Not the first politician
Donald Trump would be the first ex-president whose photo appears in American police files, but not the first politician.
Many of his predecessors were all smiles in the face of the police. Like John Edwards, candidate for the Democratic primary in 2008 and arrested in 2011 on suspicion of embezzlement of campaign funds to hide his adultery, before being found not guilty during his trial.
Texas Governor Rick Perry also sported a smile in his photo when he was arrested in 2014 on abuse of power charges – charges later dropped.
Coming soon on t-shirts
Whether he shows off his perfect-toothed smile or opts for the stern look he likes to pose while leading, the photo of Mr. Trump’s arrest will inevitably be collector’s item, if it exists.
Like that of OJ Simpson, it would make the headlines. And like Jane Fonda’s, it’s almost certain to be available in t-shirt form next. Maybe even on Mr. Trump’s website.
(AFP)
2023-08-21 05:15:28
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