Trump's post about Abrego Garcia's 'MS-13 tattooed’ hand sparks authenticity debate: 'Bad Photoshop job'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's recent post trying to prove that deported Maryland man, Kilmer Abrego Garcia, is a member of MS-13 gang, seemed to have backfired and opened a floodgate of conspiracy theories that questioned the authenticity of the picture. 

Along with writing a long note regarding his stance on Abrego Garcia’s purported ties to the street gang, the 78-year-old POTUS also shared a closeup picture of a hand allegedly belonging to the man deported last month to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. 

The image, which appeared to be a digitally altered image, has since then grabbed the attention of netizens who questioned the authenticity of the picture and suggested that it was “clearly Photoshopped.”

Donald Trump declares Abrego Garcia has ‘MS-13’ tattooed on his knuckles

Taking to his social media accounts, the commander-in-chief wrote, “This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such “a fine and innocent person.””

Reflecting on the unproven claim that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13 gang, Trump wrote, “They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found that he was a member of MS-13, beat up his wife, etc.”

The POTUS, who has launched into a mission of deporting illegal immigrants back to their native countries ever since his inauguration, continued in his post, “I was elected to take bad people out of the United States, among other things. I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

He also shared the image of the hand with four symbols -- a marijuana leaf, a smile, a cross and a skull with three dots -- along with four characters ‘M’, ‘S’, ‘1’, and ‘3’ over the symbols allegedly representing the signs. 

While there are multiple theories floating online about the meaning behind the symbols, Trump seemingly shared the picture with the characters to indicate what the symbols mean. 

Nevertheless, his social media post opened a floodgate of conspiracy theories with several users questioning the authenticity of the picture.

Abrego Garcia was deported last month to the El Salvador mega prison over suspicion that he is a member of the violent MS-13 gang and is accused of beating his wife. 

Though the authorities previously admitted that he was deported due to an 'administrative error', which prompted the Supreme Court to order the Trump administration to “facilitate” his return, the government has declined to do so. 

The courts have, however, not yet found any evidence about Abrego Garcia’s connection to the gang, as reported by The Independent. 

This also came after the Democratic Senator from Maryland, Chris Van Hollen, flew out to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia.

Following his meeting, he shared an image of the duo, while writing, "I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return."

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele also shared a slew of images from the meeting, and wrote, "Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!🍹."

He later added, "Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody 🇺🇸🤝🏼🇸🇻"

Trump's social media post stirs conversation about authenticity of the photo

The internet was left divided as to whether the image shown by President Donald Trump was real or photoshopped.

Though a section of netizens claimed that the photo held by the president is "clearly Photoshopped," another section tried to reason that the symbols were rather signifying 'MS-13'. 

One of the social media users said, "Trump’s holding up a tattooed hand like it’s the smoking gun of the century. Too bad it looks like a bad Photoshop job, and the Supreme Court already said there’s no evidence. But sure, let’s deport first, ask questions never. That’s the GOP’s “law and order” for you—zero law, all disorder."

Someone else castigated, "When there is no evidence…make s*** up and hope the judge is fooled by this!"

"Ummmm. Pardon my cynicism but you can see that looks clearly photoshopped right? Right?" chimed in another. 

Someone else pointed out, "Hey that’s photo shop. Bring him back please 🙏."

"MS-13 looks like it was typed on the photo," wrote someone else. 

Another user penned, "That looks so photoshopped! Nice try."

Former US Senator Linda Higgins wrote, "Hey Old Man, @realDonaldTrump, have someone teach you about Photoshop. This is an excellent example of altering a photo, in this case to make your illegal actions look good. But instead you look foolish."

However, there were several other users who supported President Trump, while pointing out that it is not normal for a regular person to have such suggestive tattoos. They wrote, "That’s an interesting tattoo for just a regular “Maryland man” to have on his hand."

Another user explained, "Here’s some insight from someone who’s been in a gang task force. Many gang members won’t outright put Ms-13 so the blend in. Look at the symbols. Marijuana=M Smile=S Cross=1 The Skull is a reference to the Mexican Mafia where they got the #13 from as M is the 13th letter."

"Plus the devil horns right at the wrist that go over the cross with the lion sitting on top of it all. And the on the fingers: M arijuana S miley face 1 cross 3 skull looks like a 3 and represents "mi vida loca" or the gang life, also shown as 3 dots," added someone else. 

Another user, however, noted, "Look closely people. They digitally added "MS13" to a photo of an unknown hand and now claim that this is proof. Is this your standard for crime investigation Mr. President?"

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