The Greek mythological tale of Medusa is multifaceted, but the most prevalent version depicts Medusa, a woman who incurred the wrath of the goddess Athena, resulting in her transformation into a fearsome monster. Athena punished Medusa by morphing her hair into a writhing mass of serpents and cursed anyone who met her gaze to be turned into stone. This narrative, with its emphasis on the destructive power of a gaze, is eerily reminiscent of Donald Trump, our current era’s Medusa, adapted for the age of mass media. Once you lay your eyes on him, the die is cast.
Just recently, the 45th president found himself incarcerated in Georgia’s Fulton County Jail, becoming inmate number P01135809. His mug shot was taken and shared publicly. Naturally, we couldn’t resist looking. Trump, however, prepared himself for our scrutiny, carefully arranging his hair, makeup, angle, and pose. In his portrait, Trump stares defiantly into the camera, emitting an aura of seething rage. This type of photograph usually aims to enforce humility, but Trump transforms it into a demonstration of his enduring power. He treats his mug shot as a menacing statement to us all.
For months leading up to this moment, people speculated endlessly on the image. The anticipation was fueled by the fact that Trump, the first indicted president, has faced four separate indictments to date. Each new legal proceeding sparked more discussions on whether a mug shot would be taken and how it would appear. The Fulton County sheriff, much like a paparazzo promising exclusives to TMZ, assured everyone that he would deliver. He pledged, “We’ll have a mug shot ready for you.”
Once it became clear that the sheriff would follow through, excitement mounted. CNN even conducted a countdown to Trump’s arrival at the Atlanta-area jail, providing updates on his departure, landing, and transportation to the facility. Trump was given a motorcade, parading through the city with lights and sirens blaring. MSNBC captured it all from above, using the footage as background material while commentators delved into the delayed gratification of justice.
Though Trump faced accountability, the event unwittingly conceded to him. Typically, a mug shot, taken after an unexpected arrest, highlights the powerlessness of the subject. The alleged criminal appears disheveled, disoriented, and diminished. But Trump, trailed by news cameras that grant him omnipresence, found a way to spin this historic moment—a former president’s mug shot—into an opportunity for brand enhancement. He refrained from smiling or assuming an expression of indignation. Instead, he glares directly at the viewer, emanating what he has reportedly advised others: Perform your anger, turn it into your script, make it a menacing threat. His menacing glare serves as a theatrical cue to his followers, both in defiance of democratic processes and because of it.
Welcome to the era of mug-shot rule. Trump, seemingly pleased with his portrait, shared it on social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, which had previously banned him for spreading violent misinformation. Of course, the image he shared is doctored. Its background lacks the Fulton County seal, transforming it into a mere headshot for an actor auditioning for the role of an “autocrat.” The accompanying caption disregards the legal implications and seeks to redirect accusations against those bringing charges. Trump baselessly suggests that the indictment is an attempt to interfere with the 2020 election results. His caption adds, “NEVER SURRENDER!”, using the same tactic to defy the very photo that exists due to his surrender.
Mug shots have historically been utilized for political messaging, as seen with the booking images of John Lewis, Jane Fonda, and Tom DeLay. Trump’s version, however, serves as a reminder to all who view it of the threat embodied by a vengeful Trump. While mug shots primarily preserve a visual record in case the arrested person commits another crime, Trump’s booking photo symbolizes something more. It signals that this will never end, suggesting that his dangerous countenance will become increasingly difficult to avoid. Reportedly, Trump orchestrated the theatrics of his surrender to occur during prime time.
As the image was released last night, Fox host Jesse Watters asked his guest, Ned Ryun, from the conservative political-training organization American Majority, to interpret its meaning. Ryun obliged, arguing that the photo represented Trump’s persecution by the administrative state, reducing the indictment’s facts to mere political gamesmanship. He suggested that Republicans should respond with their own indictments, to which Watters responded, “You’re saying Republicans should promise mug shots of Democrats?” Ryun replied emphatically, “One hundred percent.”
Sean Hannity kicked off his Fox show with a similar idea, displaying Trump’s portrait to his viewers. He began, “You are looking at Joe Biden—oh, I’m sorry, Donald Trump’s—official mug shot.” Hannity paused for dramatic effect before clarifying, “Joe Biden will be soon enough anyway.”
In conclusion, this recent episode is a stark reminder of the power wielded by visuals. Trump transformed his mug shot, a symbol of accountability, into a tool for self-promotion. In the age of mass media, mug shots and their accompanying narratives have been co-opted by individuals intent on shaping their own image. The Medusa-esque quality of Trump’s gaze forces our attention, demanding that we behold the consequences of his actions.
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