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US President Donald Trump mocked for staring at total solar eclipse

WHILE Australians did not get to see the great American eclipse, we did get to see President Donald Trump watching it. Some would argue that was better.

WHILE Australians did not get to see the great American eclipse, we are able to look at something that some would argue is better than the once-in-a-century event. 

And that is US President Donald Trump watching the eclipse.

Americans were warned by NASA experts and astronomers not to look directly at the eclipse without specially-made glasses that were being sold everywhere. You would think being the president you’d be able to at least get your hands on some.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump look up at the partial solar eclipse from the balcony of the White House in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP/Nicholas Kamm
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump look up at the partial solar eclipse from the balcony of the White House in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP/Nicholas KammSource:AFP


 

Total solar eclipse dazzles spectators across U.S.

 
Trump wore his glasses for some of the eclipse at least. Picture: Andrew Harnik/AP
Trump wore his glasses for some of the eclipse at least. Picture: Andrew Harnik/APSource:AP
 
First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and son Barron look up at the partial solar eclipse. Picture: AFP/Nicholas Kamm
First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and son Barron look up at the partial solar eclipse. Picture: AFP/Nicholas KammSource:AFP

Eclipse blindness is a serious danger. You wouldn’t stare at the sun, and same goes for an eclipse. Unless you’re Donald Trump of course.

Mr Trump was snapped watching the eclipse with the First Lady, Melania Trump, and their son Barron from the balcony of the White House.

To be fair he was wearing his special eclipse glasses, but for some unknown reason decided to take them off to stare at the sun as the solar eclipse began on Monday.

The pictures of him squinting and pointing at the sun are internet gold and it’s going to become the world’s most favourite meme.


Twitter has gone into meltdown over the photo, with one tweeting: “My little kids knew not too look without glasses.”

Another said: “We spent months telling people not to look at the eclipse and Trump just ... he just looked at it.”

Others are suggesting Mr Trump thought scientists’ warnings were “fake news”.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump found their glasses. Picture: AFP/Nicholas Kamm
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump found their glasses. Picture: AFP/Nicholas KammSource:AFP

 

 
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, gestures at the White House in Washington. Picture: AP/Andrew Harnik
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, gestures at the White House in Washington. Picture: AP/Andrew HarnikSource:AP

To be fair to Mr Trump, he did end up putting on the glasses and appeared blown away by the eclipse.

It was the most-observed and most-photographed eclipse in history, with many Americans staking out prime viewing spots and settling onto blankets and lawn chairs to watch, especially along the path of totality — the line of deep shadow created when the sun is completely obscured except for the ring of light known as the corona.

The shadow — a corridor just 96 to 113 kilometres wide — came ashore in Oregon and then travelled diagonally across the Midwest to South Carolina, with darkness from the totality lasting only about two to three wondrous minutes in any one spot.

The rest of North America was treated to a partial eclipse, as were Central America and northern areas of South America.

With 200 million people within a day’s drive from the path of totality, towns and parks saw big crowds.

Total eclipse: In pictures

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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