World
Iconic image of ‘bulletproof’ Trump inspires MAGA merchandise
In short:
Hundreds of products have appeared online featuring the famous image of former US president Donald Trump raising his fist after being shot at a campaign rally.
World leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping have sent messages of support for Mr Trump and condemned political violence.
What’s next?
An investigation is underway as Mr Trump leaves for the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
World leaders have expressed sympathy for former US president Donald Trump after he was shot at a campaign event, while merchandise sellers swiftly promoted products emblazoned with pictures of the attempted assassination.
Images of Mr Trump defiantly raising his fist after being shot on Saturday (US time), captured by the Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, became instantly historic after being widely shared on social media.
(AP: Evan Vucci)
Merchandising websites including Etsy have been flooded by hundreds of products using Vucci’s photo.
For sale are everything from T-shirts to mugs and even dog cardigans featuring the image, sometimes altered to accentuate the blood on Mr Trump’s face, accompanied by phrases like “bulletproof” and “fight for America”.
Another seller was selling stickers with the image of Mr Trump with fist raised, reading “grazed and unfazed”.
Several users on the marketplace eBay were selling copies of the New York Times and Los Angeles Times from Sunday, July 14, which both used Vucci’s photo on the front page.
One X user posted photos from a location in the US on Sunday (local time), where physical retailers were already selling similar products.
Within hours of the shooting, products with Vucci’s photo could also be found on Chinese ecommerce sites such as Taobao.
The FBI continues to investigate the shooting, which occurred prior to the Republican Party’s National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
As Mr Trump called on his countrymen to “stand united” and “show our true character as Americans”, world leaders sent well wishes and condemned political violence.
In an opinion piece published on Monday, Mr Albanese said he was relieved Mr Trump was safe and wrote that: “We all need to be on guard against those seeking to use misinformation to create division.”
“This is a time for unity, for calm and for allowing authorities in the US to do their jobs. And it is a moment to reflect on the responsibility we have to maintain our harmony here at home.”
Earlier, in a social media post soon after the incident, Mr Albanese called the shooting “concerning and confronting”.
“There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” Mr Albanese posted on X. “I am relieved to hear reports that former president Trump is now safe.”
Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X he was appalled by the scenes at the rally, while Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the shooting.
In Japan, where former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former president Trump’s speedy recovery.”
China’s President Xi Jinping expressed his sympathies through Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng in Washington, who wished Mr Trump a speedy recovery.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack, adding: “All forms of violence have no place in democracy around the world.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was concerned by the attack on his “friend” Mr Trump. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people,” Mr Modi wrote on X.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters that political violence was “not the way to solve issues”.
“As such, we express sympathy to Donald Trump and hope the situation remains under control.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said such violence had “no justification and no place anywhere in the world”.
“Never should violence prevail,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
Posted , updated
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