In a recent episode of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," co-host Joe Scarborough couldn't contain his astonishment upon hearing about former President Donald Trump's unconventional dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The dinner, which took place during Trump's break from his ongoing trial, involved attendees who had purchased the "Mugshot Edition" digital trading cards inspired by Trump's booking photo from his arrest in Georgia last year.

Scarborough's reaction was immediate as he struggled to stifle his surprise. "Oh my God, oh my God," he exclaimed. "What the, what the, what the holy eff is going on here? Who are these people?" His colleague, Willie Geist, chimed in with a touch of mockery, questioning the value of a cloth swatch from Trump's suit that was given as a souvenir. Geist wondered aloud, "I mean, what do you [do]? Frame the piece of the suit, sniff it, keep it at your bedside?"

Attendees at the dinner were reportedly Trump supporters who had purchased a minimum of 47 trading cards at $99 each. The event was yet another way for the former president to generate funds for his campaign and the Republican National Committee. In fact, during a recent RNC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, Trump reportedly informed donors who had paid at least $40,000 that they would not have the opportunity for a photo with him, as their contribution was not enough.

Despite his ongoing legal troubles, including a New York criminal trial related to alleged falsification of records regarding a payment to a porn actor, Trump and the RNC claim to have raised over $76 million in April. This impressive fundraising achievement illustrates the continuing influence and support Trump commands within the Republican Party.

The bizarre NFT dinner and the extent of Trump's campaign fundraising efforts have drawn criticism from political analysts and commentators. One analyst, Elise Jordan, referred to the NFT cards depicting Trump as a rockstar and a seemingly fit individual in a bomber jacket as "complete propaganda." Such unusual and symbolic portrayals of Trump raise questions about the authenticity of his image in the public sphere.

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