Topics: US News, Politics, Donald Trump, Police, Crime
Donald Trump was apparently trying to look 'intimidating' in his mug shot, it's been claimed.
Yep, the former president pulled his best 'blue steel' when he handed himself into Fulton County, Georgia, to be formally processed on Thursday (24 August).
And since the snap was released, the world hasn't really known what to make of it.
Of course, the internet doing what the internet does best, it's fast become one of the biggest memes of the year, with people jumping at the chance to pile in on a bit of collective schadenfreude.
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But what is he trying to convey?
For those of you who aren't up to date with the latest drama surrounding Trump, he's in a whole lot of trouble.
Following his arrest, the 77-year-old was charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as six conspiracy counts over alleged efforts to commit forgery, impersonate a public official, and submit false statements and documents.
Added to the previous indictments, this means he now faces charges relating to a long list of alleged crimes, from hush money sent to Stormy Daniels and keeping hold of classified documents, to the 6 January insurrection and taking part in a 'conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election'.
But Trump being Trump, one expert says his mug shot is a clear attempt by him to appear in control of the situation and unfazed by it all.
Former cop Darren Stanton said Trump's eye contact is 'held fixed right into the lens', which he believes was "clearly decided on by Trump to show his accusers and the world that he is showing defiance and he believes he will be acquitted of his charges."
As well as this, Stanton added, his eyebrows are also 'pulled together and pulled down'.
"This is the emergence of anger/defiance expression," he told BitcoinCasinos. "We get this intense stare, so emotionally he is showing anger, defiance and denial.”
Following his arrest, Atlanta criminal defence attorney Steve Sadow, who represents Trump, said his client denied all charges.
“He is innocent of all the charges brought against him," he said.
“We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open-minded jury finding the president not guilty.
“Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system.”
Speaking to UNILAD, however, a legal expert claimed Trump is 'pretty screwed' and could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Commenting on the lates indictment in Georgia, law professor Danny Karon said: "The big threat is the Georgia case because it involves a RICO violation.
"It carries a sentence of up to 20 years in jail. What the State of Georgia here said was that the Trump campaign was a criminal enterprise that was engaged in all these different illegalities for the purpose of overturning the Georgia vote."
"That's what fuels the RICO case that potentially brings 20 years potentially in jail for all 19 defendants."
