In a photo push, it raises its power fist with a politician with an R after him name.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO (Senator) has proven to be a lightning rod and has received a fair amount of criticism and focus from Democrats and media. They try to make him an icon of the violence on Capitol grounds in January last year, or at least of resistance to 2020 Presidential election results. Now, that image he’s cast has come under dispute.
Josh Hawley’s turn towards an assembled crowd was one of the most memorable images from the Capitol riot of January 6. As he approached the Capitol to cast his certificate vote on that day, the senator turned around and confronted a number of cheering supporters. He raised his fist halfway through the stride.He was seen signing the affidavit of support for the protest. While this occurred before the violence of the following day, it can be used as evidence to show that he supported the attack.
Hawley now looks forward to the midterm election, almost a full year after that tragic incident. He has made that image, once used to ridicule those of the left, a strength for his campaign. His campaign site’s store now sells coffee cups (among other merchandise) with the Missouri senator in the familiar pose, redone in an artful fashion, and the words SHOW-ME STRONG below it.
Josh Hawley has officially sold his 6th fist-pump to be a mug pic.twitter.com/sNzCbaam1B
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) February 14, 2022
But now, Politico says it is taking issue with Hawley’s… Mug-shot. According to the legal team of the outlet, Hawley is not allowed to use his image because it was based upon a photo that belongs to them.
“We do not authorize its use by the Hawley campaign for the purpose of political fundraising, which the campaign has been put on notice of by legal counsel,” a Politico spokesperson told The Hill. “We are eagerly awaiting a response, but in the interim again respectfully ask that the campaign immediately cease and desist unauthorized use of the image.”
This photo contretemps came about by indirect means. The photograph everyone is so familiar with was taken by Frances Chung of Energy & Environment News. The photograph was taken by Frances Chung of Energy & Environment News in December. Politico acquired E&E NewsThe parent company has full rights to the photograph. As a result, their lawyers have sent a cease-and-desist letter to Hawley’s office, to end the campaign’s use of what Politico claims as their intellectual property.
Hawley’s office, meanwhile, both claims to be unaware of the demand, as well as declaring they are in their rights. “We haven’t received any correspondence from POLITICO or anyone else, but we are in full compliance with the law,” spokesperson Kyle Plotkin explained to E&E News. Plotkin then raised an intriguing dynamic. “Perhaps POLITICO can show us the correspondence they sent to the many liberal groups who also used the photo.”
It raises a fascinating question. If Politico is going to take this stance on their claim to the image, will they remain consistent and maintain that other groups or organizations cannot also access Hawley’s image? This could prove costly for the legal team or they could show permissiveness to indicate partisanship.
Hawley has consistently denied that the gesture he made was connected to violence on the Capitol’s day. Hawley’s office maintained the same unwavering position. A copy of the email that was sent with the mug to go along with it shows very little evidence of him bending over.
“Liberals are so easily triggered, and this new mug is really whipping the left into a frenzy! Josh isn’t scared — he’s show-me strong! This Made in America cup is the ideal way to drink coffee, tea, and liberal teas. Check it out below, and order one for yourself or any woke friend or family member that you want to trigger!”
The fun part of an election is choosing from a variety of candidates. The odder brand trinketsThere are many candidates available to purchaseTake this as a signal that this season is just getting started.
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