Topline
Former President Donald Trump’s staff reportedly present him with copies of supportive letters, social media posts and articles every day to “boost his spirits,” Axios reports, as the former president uses his Truth Social platform to boost posts from sympathetic voices and attack the ongoing legal cases against him.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International … [+] Airport after being booked at the infamous Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Key Facts
After reading through the messages, Trump expresses gratitude by scribbling a message on the printout along with his signature, a screenshot of which is shared via texts while a hard copy is sent by mail, Axios reported.
Trump’s handwritten messages are purportedly a prized item among pro-Trump online figures, as they tend to be viral hits when shared on their social handles.
This has prompted Trump supporters to actively seek out the former president’s approval in handwritten form by sharing their content with Trump’s aides, including Natalie Harp, Jason Miller and Steven Cheung.
Among the recipients of Trump’s handwritten notes is far-right activist Laura Loomer, who received a note for a tweet in which she promised to “sniff out” traitors in Trump’s own camp.
News Peg
Aside from attacking the Biden Administration, federal investigators and his GOP primary rivals, Trump has used his Truth Social account to share posts from followers expressing their support for him or attacking his rivals. Last week, after the release of his mug shot from his booking at the Fulton County Jail in the Georgia election interference case, Trump went on a panicky “re-truthing” spree, sharing memes and supportive posts and op-eds from followers who put their own spin on the infamous mug shot. Trump has also used his Truth Social account to boost QAnon conspiracy theories and other extremist commentators.
Key Background
Last year, the Washington Post reported that Harp—a former One America News host—accompanies Trump during his daily golf practice with a laptop and a printer to show him “uplifting news articles, online posts or other materials.” Another aide, Molly Michael, is reportedly tasked with reaching out to Trump’s allies and urging them to call him to “boost his spirits.”
Further Reading
How Trump’s loyal pen pals spread his message (Axios)
How Trump jettisoned restraints at Mar-a-Lago and prompted legal peril (Washington Post)
