Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and lawyer for Donald Trump, has been arrested in Georgia for his role in the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. His mugshot, released by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, has gone viral on social media and inspired a wave of memes, jokes and t-shirt designs. Here is the story behind the photo that captured the downfall of one of Trump’s most loyal allies.
What Happened to Rudy Giuliani? The Former New York Mayor’s Legal Troubles and Arrest
Rudy Giuliani was once a respected prosecutor who took down mob bosses and a popular mayor who led New York City through the aftermath of 9/11. But his reputation has been tarnished by his association with Trump and his involvement in spreading baseless claims of election fraud. He faces multiple lawsuits, investigations and sanctions for his actions.
On August 23, 2023, Giuliani surrendered to authorities at the Fulton County jail on charges that he helped lead a racketeering enterprise and conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. He was indicted along with Trump and 17 other co-defendants by a grand jury last week. The indictment alleges that they engaged in various schemes to pressure and coerce state officials, falsify documents, disseminate misinformation and incite violence to subvert the will of the voters.
Giuliani’s bond was set at $150,000, slightly less than Trump’s $200,000 bond but more than Sidney Powell’s $100,000 bond. Powell is another former Trump lawyer who was also charged in the case. Giuliani left Manhattan in the morning to travel to Atlanta with his lead lawyer, John Esposito, on a private jet. He spoke to reporters after his surrender and said that he was “very, very honored” to be involved in the case and that he would plead not guilty. He also claimed that the indictment was a “travesty” and an “attack on the American people”.
How the Internet Reacted to Rudy Giuliani’s Mugshot: The Best Memes, Jokes and Reactions
As soon as Giuliani’s mugshot was released by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, it became an instant sensation on social media. Many users mocked Giuliani’s appearance, expression and demeanor in the photo. Some compared him to characters from movies, TV shows and cartoons, such as Gollum from Lord of the Rings, Uncle Fester from The Addams Family and Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. Others made fun of his infamous hair dye incident, his Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference and his Borat 2 cameo.
Booking photo for Rudy Giuliani has been released: pic.twitter.com/62y8qbsyxn
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 23, 2023
Here are some of the best memes, jokes and reactions that we found on Twitter:
- @TheDailyShow: BREAKING: Rudy Giuliani surrenders to authorities in Georgia. Here is his mugshot. (Photo of Giuliani with hair dye dripping down his face)
- @StephenAtHome: Rudy Giuliani has been arrested in Georgia for election fraud. His lawyer says he’s innocent until proven guilty, but his hair dye says he’s guilty until proven innocent.
- @SarahKSilverman: Rudy Giuliani’s mugshot looks like he just realized he left his phone at Four Seasons Total Landscaping.
- @pattonoswalt: Rudy Giuliani’s mugshot is giving me strong Gollum vibes.
- @jimmykimmel: Rudy Giuliani has been arrested in Georgia. He says he’s not worried because he has a very good lawyer. Unfortunately, that lawyer is also Rudy Giuliani.
- @Trevornoah: Rudy Giuliani’s mugshot is out. I don’t know what he’s charged with, but I’m guessing it has something to do with Borat’s daughter.
Why People Want Rudy Giuliani’s Mugshot on a T-Shirt: The Demand, The Supply and The Controversy
Giuliani’s mugshot has not only inspired memes and jokes, but also t-shirt designs. Many online retailers and independent sellers have started to offer t-shirts featuring Giuliani’s mugshot or variations of it. Some of them have added captions or slogans, such as “Lock Him Up”, “Make America Great Again” or “Rudy Did Nothing Wrong”. Some have also combined Giuliani’s mugshot with other images or symbols, such as the American flag, the Georgia peach or the Trump logo.
The demand for these t-shirts seems to be high among both critics and supporters of Giuliani. Some people want to wear them as a way of expressing their disdain or ridicule for Giuliani and his actions. Others want to wear them as a way of showing their solidarity or admiration for Giuliani and his cause. Some people may also want to wear them as a way of making a statement or sparking a conversation. Order Rudy Giuliani’s Mugshot Shirt here.
However, not everyone is happy with these t-shirts. Some people have criticized them as disrespectful, tasteless or offensive. Some have argued that they are exploiting Giuliani’s legal troubles for profit or entertainment. Some have also questioned the legality or ethics of using Giuliani’s mugshot without his consent or permission.
What do you think of Rudy Giuliani’s mugshot and the t-shirts based on it? Do you find them funny, cool or outrageous? Would you buy or wear one? Let us know in the comments below.