'I stand with (Trump)!' Former Illinois representative posts fake mugshot of himself in solidarity

In what appears to be a show of solidarity with Donald Trump, a former Illinois state representative posted a fake mugshot of himself online Thursday after the embattled former president was booked into a Georgia jail.

"I stand with @realDonaldTrump!" Republican Darren Bailey wrote in a caption under a photo he posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The 45th president was arrested Thursday and booked at the Fulton County Jail on charges he attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

Thursday marked a momentous day as Trump is the first president in U.S. history to be booked at a jail.

Following his arrest, a mugshot of Trump was released. The photo shows him sporting a suit and tie, with his chin dropped and brow furrowed as he looks into the camera.

Bailey's selfie "mugshot" depicts the former state leader in glasses wearing a dark button-down shirt.

The shot shows him smiling.

As of Friday afternoon, the post by the 57-year-old former Illinois gubernatorial candidate had garnered nearly 45,000 views.

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Another Trump endorsement welcome, Bailey says

Bailey could not immediately be reached by USA TODAY Friday afternoon.

But at the Illinois State Fair last week, Bailey made an appearance and spoke to reporters about Trump's indictment charges, the Springfield State Journal- Register, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

"It's a complete witch hunt," Bailey said. "We need more Attorney General's across the United States actually... filing indictments against Joe Biden."

Bailey also told reporters he would again "like Trump's endorsement in his congressional run."

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Endorsed by Trump

Endorsed by Trump for Illinois governor last year, Bailey lost his bid for governor to incumbent J.B. Pritzker, an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist.

In January, Bailey completed his term in the state senate following the failed 2022 gubernatorial attempt.

Last month, Bailey announced his run for the Illinois 12th Congressional District.

He is set to face off against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a five-term congressman representing 34 counties.

Contributing: Patrick Keck with the Springfield State Journal- Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois' Darren Bailey posts fake mugshot after Donald Trump's goes viral