Washington: Even leaders of the free world need take precaution when staring at the sun.
President Donald Trump took in the solar eclipse from the White House balcony, first looking up at the phenomenon without the necessary glasses to protect his eyes as an aide shouted: "Don't look."
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Solar eclipse: Trump caught looking at the sun
Memes aplenty after President Donald Trump glances at the sun without protective glasses during the solar eclipse in the US.
Trump had solar eclipses glasses but initially neglected to wear them as he squinted at the sun with wife Melania and son Barron by his side.
.@NYDailyNews is out early with tomorrow's front page. pic.twitter.com/gg7zWqMqgf
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 21, 2017
According to the White House pool report, an aide warned "don't look" at the president as he gestured toward the sun. Moments later, as the peak of the eclipse approached, Trump put on protective eyewear.
The momentary lapse has caused more Trump-related hilarity than usual with Twitter users quick to respond.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Trump tweet from a few years ago that says "Only utter idiots stare at solar eclipses without glasses!"
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) August 21, 2017
Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent eye damage, the symptoms of which can take a few days to show up. Those include "dim" sight, loss of central vision, distorted vision, altered colour vision and afterimages.
Everybody be like: Climate change is real, don't look directly at #SolarEclipse2017
— Luisa Haynes (@wokeluisa) August 21, 2017
Trump be like: pic.twitter.com/6HxutgBvaJ
There are a large number of safe ways to watch a solar eclipse, which the president would have done well to observe.
"Mr. President, the news says not to stare at the Sun during the eclipse."
— Randy Marsh (@Stans_Dad) August 21, 2017
Trump: Which new station?
"CNN"
Trump: pic.twitter.com/tIt7sWqTGK
Washington, DC, experienced an approximately 80 per cent eclipse and did not go completely dark. Monday's was the first total solar eclipse to pass over the majority of the continental US since 1918. The next solar eclipse over the continent will be in 2024.
Scientists: Don't look directly at the sun to see the eclipse
— SCROTUS (@_NotFakeNews_) August 21, 2017
Trump: "Hold my glasses" pic.twitter.com/RWX38kKyHI
When I woke up today I knew without a doubt that I would be seeing pictures of trump looking directly at the eclipse. I just knew it.
— anthony green (@AnthonyGreen) August 21, 2017
McClatchy