A photo reputedly showing an old photocopying machine near a heap of boxes filled with documents is causing a stir online.
That may sound like the most boring photo imaginable — it’s no visual treat — but these aren’t just any boxes and it isn’t just any room: these are the boxes allegedly containing a portion of the documents at the heart of former President Donald Trump‘s indictment. And this boring room is on the premises of Mar-a-Lago, where the boxes were stored after Trump left the White House.
why did Trump have a copier in the room he stored TOP SECRET documents in?!? pic.twitter.com/WZmxjQ2Os7
— LeGate🤠(@williamlegate) June 11, 2023
That red circle? It was drawn around what appears to be a Xerox-type machine, but which might be something else entirely, by a Twitter handle called Cling 2 Reality.
The image was then circulated on Twitter by Trump antagonist and Peter Thiel fellow William LeGate, where it quickly got nearly 700K views — and started a furious battle in the comments. Any person looking for an illustrated real time example of the divisions in the U.S. will find it beneath the comments to this single boring photo.
One angle of those chiming in is to question whether there are any Top Secret documents in the boxes — “Which boxes say Top Secret?” asks one commenter.
Another point of contention is whether Trump declassified the documents in these boxes, with many believing they are declassified solely by virtue of being in the former President’s possession.
“It doesn’t matter if it was a copier. Trump could make place mats out of those papers at his next dinner party if he wants to. They have already been declassified, and he can do what he wants,” writes one MAGA adherent as an example. Others make this point: “Not a copier.”
It doesn't matter if it was a copier. Trump could make place mats out of those papers at his next dinner party if he wants to. They have already been declassified, and he can do what he wants.
— MAGAdonian (@SPhaffer) June 12, 2023
LeGate doesn’t just post, he answers most responses. Told he doesn’t know what’s in the boxes, LeGate says he does because he’s read the indictment.
Actually, I do. Because unlike you, I’ve read the indictment.
— LeGate🤠(@williamlegate) June 11, 2023
Reading the indictment is not a prerequisite for defending the former President, as seen below.
These are Trump supporters from my State. They refuse to read the documents because it’s a waste of their time. The dumbing down of America is bigly. 😹pic.twitter.com/aDx66X44AP
— Celeste 💙🇺🇸🟧 (@DCelesteSpencer) June 12, 2023
