Former President Donald Trump found himself at the center of attention once more as he witnessed the rare astronomical event of a total solar eclipse, this time without heeding safety guidelines yet again. As millions of Americans geared up to witness the celestial spectacle, Trump’s actions during the eclipse resurfaced memories of his notorious behavior during the 2017 eclipse, sparking widespread mockery and concern.
In a bizarre turn of events, Trump posted a campaign ad on his social media platform, Truth Social, where his head bizarrely replaced the moon, obscuring the sun and plunging America into darkness. The video, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” featured dramatic music and claimed that “the most important moment in human history is taking place in 2024,” hinting at Trump’s presidential ambitions for the upcoming elections.
Social media users were quick to ridicule the ad, with many pointing out the absurdity of Trump portraying himself as blocking out the sun and sending the entire globe into darkness. The irony was not lost on them, as they compared the temporary nature of eclipses to Trump’s political career.
However, Trump’s antics during the eclipse weren’t confined to his campaign ad. Resurfaced footage from the 2017 eclipse showed him once again ignoring safety guidelines by staring directly at the sun without protective eyewear. Despite being joined by his wife Melania and their son Barron, both of whom wore eclipse glasses, Trump chose to disregard warnings, prompting an aide to caution him against looking.
The incident drew criticism from experts and social media users alike, highlighting the potential risks of viewing an eclipse without proper eye protection. Dr. Nicole Bajic, a surgical ophthalmologist, emphasized the serious consequences of retinal damage caused by solar retinopathy, urging people to prioritize eye safety during such events.
Trump’s behavior during the eclipse also prompted President Joe Biden to seemingly poke fun at his predecessor, reminding Americans to “play it safe” and wear protective eyewear in a lighthearted public service announcement. Biden’s message subtly referenced Trump’s infamous moment, which had garnered widespread attention and ridicule on social media.
As the nation prepared to witness the total solar eclipse, Trump’s actions served as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines during celestial events. Despite the spectacle of nature unfolding overhead, experts reiterated the necessity of using certified eclipse glasses to avoid permanent eye damage.