US President Donald Trump on Friday evening shared a photograph that he claimed showed the tattooed knuckles of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was deported to El Salvador last month amid controversy.
The image, posted to Trump’s social media accounts, purported to be “proof” that Abrego Garcia is a member of the violent MS-13 gang. But the photo is now under scrutiny, with critics – including tech experts and political opponents – suggesting it was digitally manipulated.
Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported, but his legal team argues that it was against US law.
Trump’s post, featuring a black-and-white photo of a man’s knuckles with the letters “MS-13” above four small symbols, was accompanied by a caption attacking Democrats for allegedly defending “a fine and innocent person” who Trump insists is a violent gang member.
“This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such “a fine and innocent person.” They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found that he was a member of MS-13, beat up his wife, etc. I was elected to take bad people out of the United States, among other things. I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump’s post read.
