Chris Veal’s Atlanta Mural of Trump’s Mugshot is Going Viral

Atlanta's prominent muralist Chris Veal has brought former President Donald Trump‘s mugshot to life on the Atlanta Beltline. The mural, showcasing Trump's arresting image, has quickly gained traction on social media.

Veal's artwork has captured considerable attention due to its depiction of Trump's mugshot, and he shared insights about his creation in a brief interview. He disclosed that it took him approximately three hours to complete the remarkable mural.

Reactions to the mural have been overwhelmingly positive. Veal shared, “Everybody seems to enjoy it. They're laughing, smiling, giving me high fives—it's been really positive so far.”

Veal emphasized the urgency behind his project. He explained, “I had to act fast before someone else executed the same idea. When this picture came up, I knew many people would have similar thoughts, so I had to move quickly.”

Looking ahead, Veal hopes that passersby will find joy and inspiration in the mural. “I hope people get a kick out of it. I also hope that it remains meaningful to them and maybe even becomes something significant beyond what I initially created.”

The mural showcases Trump's mugshot with the words “M.A.G.A MY ASS GOT ARRESTED.”

Donald Trump's mugshot was released on Thursday evening August 24th (2023) following his booking at an Atlanta jail on multiple felony charges. The charges are part of a broader criminal case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

In the mugshot, an unsmiling Trump, identified as inmate no. P01135809 by Fulton County Jail records, glares at the camera. The release of this image marks a unique moment in Trump's legal path.

Trump quickly took advantage of the moment, posting the mugshot on his social media accounts, including Twitter, and his own platform called Truth Social. He also featured the image on his campaign website, along with a message where he defended his actions and asked for donations.

While facing charges, Trump remains steadfast in his position, denouncing the prosecution as politically motivated. He reiterated his innocence, stating, “I did nothing wrong, and everybody knows it.”

Trump's legal predicament places him in an unprecedented situation as the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. Despite these legal challenges, his standing within the Republican Party remains strong, as evidenced by his lead in polls for the 2024 presidential race.

Supporters, proudly displaying Trump banners and American flags, eagerly awaited his arrival at the jail. Notably, Georgia U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's loyal allies, was among those gathered.

If you're interested in checking out the mural, you can actually see it on the Atlanta Beltline. Just take a walk, enjoy the artwork, and maybe even join the talk it started.