A US president known for his antics looked directly at the sun during a solar eclipse seven years ago.
If you thought it was Donald Trump, you’re right.The incident reportedly took place in 2017, a year after Trump took over the U.S. subway.
People across the U.S. are observing guidelines to commemorate the “Great American Solar Eclipse.” However, Trump did not adhere to guidelines, which advise against staring into the sun without proper glasses.
The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs, who covered the event live, wrote: “At about 2:39, the president initially gestured to the crowd below and pointed to the sky.”
“When he did, a White House aide standing under the balcony of the Blue Room yelled ‘Don’t look.'”
Social media users flooded the platform with memes after the president’s dangerous move.
“You can’t see your approval ratings if you can’t see them at all,” wrote one user on X (later Twitter).
Sportswriter Dan Worthington wrote: “Scientist: Don’t look directly at the sun during eclipse. Trump: Hold on to my glasses.”
Trump is not the only one trying this trick.
Nia Payne, 26, saw the sun for about six seconds as it passed over Staten Island, New York. It’s now permanently seared into her retinas.
According to NASA, the total solar eclipse will pass across North America on April 8, 2024, passing through Mexico, the United States and Canada.