A banner reading “Trump2024” and the hashtag “Promoted by Team Trump” appeared above the What’s Happening on x summary, the platform formerly known as twitter, during the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
While the hashtag #Trump2024 temporarily showed the American flag and clicking on it produced an animated “hashfetti” effect with falling flags, it was the icon associated with the number one trending topic #MAGA that caught our attention.
It temporarily featured a low-resolution version of a now-famous image showing Trump with his fist raised as Secret Service agents lift him up following an assassination attempt during his campaign event last weekend. However, that image, taken from that angle, looks very similar to the one seen in the photo. property of the Associated Press and its photographer, Evan Vucci.
Asked about the hashflag, Associated Press Vice president of communications Lauren Easton responded: “This is not an authorized use of our photo,” which is “available for editorial use only.”
In response to a query from The edgeSomeone responded from the x Press email account, without attaching their name, stating that the hashmoji and hashfetti animations are “a commercially available product.” x.com/en/blog/brands-enhance-interaction-with-twitter-branded-features.html”>a post on x's business blogThe animated effect has been used by more than 30 brands since its first appearance during a Louis Vuitton campaign last year.
The account did not respond to a question about whether the AP has licensed its image for this use or to confirm the purchase of this commercially available product.
