Donald Trump stared at the eclipse without glasses, and the internet collectively face-palmed
Be honest: We all kinda saw this coming, didn’t we? Yes, Donald Trump looked at the eclipse with his bare eyeballs, and honestly, we’re not that surprised. It was almost like we all had a collective That’s So Raven moment and knew this would happen hours before it did. But even so, we’re still a bit baffled as to why he did so.
Numerous NASA scientists, doctors, and eclipse experts drilled safe viewing procedures into our heads in the days leading up to today’s solar eclipse. Looking straight at the sun is a no-no.
We guess those safe viewing procedures only apply to those of us who aren’t president?
President Trump sneaks a peek at the #SolarEclipse2017 after taking off his protective glasses pic.twitter.com/sqhhV93LYF
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 21, 2017
Trump actually looked directly at the eclipse more than once. According to The Wall Street Journal reporter, Ted Mann, a White House aide had to remind the president, “Don’t look.”
But alas, it was too late.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/899702782206386177
And now of course, Twitter is on fire with jokes, much like Trump’s retinas probably are after having been seared by that big fireball in the sky.
Scientists: Don't look at the eclipse without special glasses
Donald Trump: Fake news pic.twitter.com/g4TlS34GpF
— Moe (@MoeAlayan) August 21, 2017
Scientists: Don't look straight at sun during eclipse.
Trump: Hold my glasses. pic.twitter.com/3MySTJYq4d— DAN (@danWorthington) August 21, 2017
AIDE: You need to wear eclipse glasses.
TRUMP: Did Obama wear them?
AIDE: Yes – it's a safety issue.
TRUMP: Then it's settled. No glasses. pic.twitter.com/gXQrDat96l— The Wokest Numbersmuncher (@NumbersMuncher) August 21, 2017
We’re very aware that when someone tells you not to do something, it makes you want to do it more than ever. All of us wanted to look at the eclipse with our bare eyes, juuuust a little. But when it comes to potentially going blind, you kind of have to listen to the trained professionals when they say, “Don’t look at the solar eclipse with bare eyes. Please, for the love all things visible, don’t do it.”
Welp, it’s also a fact that some people just have to learn the hard way.
