Trump posts Georgia mugshot vs Time cover in viral ‘How it started vs how it’s going’ flex

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump leaned into internet culture this week, jumping on the viral “How it started vs how it’s going” trend with a post that blended defiance, self-promotion, and comeback politics in classic Trump fashion.

The post, shared on Truth Social on Thursday, January 22, featured a stark side-by-side contrast: Trump’s Georgia mugshot from 2023 and his Time magazine Person of the Year cover. The image quickly went viral, with supporters hailing it as a symbol of vindication rather than controversy, while critics saw it as another example of Trump turning legal trouble into political theater.

The juxtaposition reinforced a familiar narrative Trump has leaned on repeatedly, portraying himself as embattled but ultimately triumphant.

Georgia mugshot evolves into rallying image

The “how it started” image dated back to August 2023, when Trump surrendered at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia on charges tied to efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results. He was booked, fingerprinted, and released on a $200,000 bond, producing the first mugshot ever taken of a former US president.

Rather than distancing himself from the image, Trump embraced it. Shortly after his release, he returned to X for the first time since January 2021, posting the mugshot alongside the message, “Election interference. Never surrender!”

Trump repeatedly described the case as politically motivated, framing the arrest as persecution rather than prosecution. The mugshot soon became a fixture in American pop culture, appearing on merchandise, campaign materials, and fundraising appeals.

Time Person of the Year underscores comeback claim

The second image in Trump’s post showed his Time magazine Person of the Year cover for 2024. The publication credited Trump for orchestrating “a comeback of historic proportions” and reshaping American politics during a period of intense polarization.

It marked the second time Trump received the distinction, having previously been named Person of the Year in 2016 following his first presidential election victory. The contrast between the two images, a jailhouse booking photo and a global accolade, underscored Trump’s preferred message of survival and resurgence.

By placing the images side by side, Trump framed his legal challenges as a stepping stone rather than a setback.

Viral post lands amid Davos spotlight

The Truth Social post arrived as Trump was commanding fresh international attention at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking on Thursday, January 22, Trump escalated rhetoric around Greenland, claiming a proposed framework agreement would grant the United States sweeping and permanent access to the Arctic island.

After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said negotiations were ongoing and suggested the deal would allow broad US military and strategic access without cost.

Danish leaders quickly rejected the notion, reiterating that Greenland’s sovereignty was not open to negotiation. European officials confirmed Trump ruled out military force but acknowledged allies were scrambling to respond to his security demands.

Trump also said components of his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system could be placed on the island, framing the move as essential to US and global security.