Trump Facing Punishment? 10 Billion Won Windfall from Mugshot T-Shirts

by Ryu Jeongmin

Published 28 Aug.2023 08:59(KST)

Updated 28 Aug.2023 14:02(KST)

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Professor Seojeong Geon of Kyung Hee University, CBS Radio Interview
"A Politician for Whom No Existing Political Grammar Applies"
"Trump Support Rate Exceeds 50% Within the Republican Party"

"Almost all of Trump's (former U.S. President) actions can be seen as calculated. After the indictment, his approval ratings and fundraising dramatically rebounded. Because he knows this better than anyone, he continues to play the role of a sacrificial lamb."

Professor Seo Jeong-geon of the Department of Political Science at Kyung Hee University said this on the 28th during an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show.' Former President Trump was assigned an inmate number and even had a mugshot taken, but he sold T-shirts featuring these and reportedly raised 10 billion won in donations within two days. He turned a situation where he could be perceived as a criminal into a political event.

Professor Seo spoke about the Trump phenomenon as follows.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"I've been observing since 2016 that Trump is a politician for whom traditional political norms simply do not apply. Even if we accept Trump's business acumen and the fact that he acts the way he does because he is Trump, the question remains: how is it that despite having a mugshot taken and being indicted on serious criminal charges, his fundraising amounts are enormous and his approval ratings rise? Ultimately, we need to examine the psychology and motivations of the people buying such memorabilia."

Professor Seo diagnosed, "It is hard to understand this simply through the traditional polarization framework of conservative versus progressive or what the government's role should be. Moreover, many Trump supporters seem to think this is a double standard, a case of hypocrisy."

He explained that the backlash reflects the perception that similar incidents involving Democratic figures or President Biden are not met with judicial action, which has led to increased donations and rising approval ratings for Trump.

Professor Seo said, "Trump's approval rating within the Republican Party exceeds 50%. No other candidate currently comes close to catching up with Trump. These circumstances help explain Trump's current political standing. If Trump is confirmed as the Republican presidential candidate next summer and moves on to the general election, the 50-50 political polarization situation will likely be reproduced."

Professor Seo expressed a high likelihood that former President Trump will become the Republican presidential candidate. He said, "Almost all U.S. media, local public opinion analyses, and expert views suggest that the momentum is solidifying. Biden currently has no competing candidates. If Trump is confirmed as the Republican candidate, it will be a rematch between Biden and Trump."