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The historic mugshot of former US President Donald Trump has been released as he faces a fourth set of criminal charges.
The 77-year-old reported to Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 24 local time, after he was indicted by the state's grand jury earlier this month over attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Trump's arrival in Atlanta was live streamed as news helicopters tracked his motorcade from the airport, where he touched down in the private jet emblazoned with his famous surname.
The photo goes down in history as the first mugshot to be taken of a former US president.
After about 20 minutes at the jail Trump was headed back to the airport, having earlier agreeing to a US$200,000 bond.
"I really believe this is a very sad day for America that should never happen," he said.
"If you challenge an election you should be able to challenge an election. I thought the election was a rigged election, a stolen election and I should have every right to do that.
"What has taken place here is a travesty of justice - we did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong and everybody knows it."
About an hour after Trump left the jail he posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a link to a website calling for donations to his presidential campaign.
"Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME," a note from Trump on the website reads.
"...if you can, please make a contribution to evict Crooked Joe Biden from the White House and SAVE AMERICA during this dark chapter in our nation's history."
The post on X is the first from Trump's account since January 9, 2021, when it was suspended days after the US Capitol riots.
IN OTHER NEWS:
In Georgia, the former president and 18 others are accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden.
Trump's 13 charges include racketeering, making false documents and conspiracy to commit forgery.
It's the latest of four indictments Trump faces amid his run for the Republican nomination ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
He also been charged in federal and state cases over the alleged mishandling of classified documents, election interference, and hush money payments to actor Stormy Daniels.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in all three cases and is due to enter a plea on the latest charges in September.
With Australian Associated Press
