On August 21, 2017, the President of the United States Donald Trump was photographed by Mark Wilson watching a total solar eclipse wearing protective eyewear.[1]
| Donald Trump solar eclipse photographs | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Mark Wilson |
| Completion date | August 21, 2017 |
| Medium | Photograph |
| Subject | Donald Trump |
Background
edit
Before this event, no solar eclipse had been visible across the entirety of the United States since June 8, 1918; not since the February 1979 eclipse had a total eclipse been visible from anywhere in the mainland United States.[2]
A viewing party was held at the White House, during which President Donald Trump appeared on the Truman Balcony with First Lady Melania Trump. With the Sun partially eclipsed, President Trump looked briefly in the general direction of the Sun before using solar viewing glasses.[3]
Reception
editThe photographs became an internet meme and were the subject of jokes by late-night comedians Trevor Noah and Conan O’Brien.[4][5]
Writing for The Independent, Oliver O'Connell described the photographs as "perhaps one of the most enduring images of Donald Trump's presidency".[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ibrahim, Nur (April 6, 2024). "Trump Stared Directly at Sun During 2017 Solar Eclipse?". Snopes. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Chan, Melissa (July 25, 2017). "The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse: Everything You Need to Know". Time. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ Wong, Herman. "Trump celebrates solar eclipse by looking up without special viewing glasses". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Parker, Ryan (August 21, 2017). "Trump Looking at Eclipse Without Glasses Becomes Instant Meme". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Nevins, Jake (August 22, 2017). "Late-night hosts on the solar eclipse: 'That was Melania's chance to escape'". The Guardian. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Oliver (April 8, 2024). "Trump trolled ahead of eclipse for staring directly at the sun". The Independent. New York. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.