By now , images of the brilliant solar occultation that graced the shores of America have blasted their way across your newsworthiness feed . A few of you may have been lucky enough to witness the once - in - a - lifespan heavenly dancing in person , whether you were in Oregon or Tennessee , or anywhere in - between .

Even President Trump got in on the Sun - block up action – but , beingDonald J. Trump , he ineluctably ask in the majestic sights in exactly the wrong means .

It ’s well document that if you look at the eclipse with the nude eye , it does some serious harm to your retinas . Specifically , itburns them , which as you’re able to imagine has some terrifically awful issue for your vision .

That ’s why that , all over social media , scientists and diarist were fundamentally screaming at people – sometimes in all caps – to check that that everyone had their protective glasses on , so they could watch the occultation without go blind . Now , gentlewoman and gentleman , you ’ll never reckon who ignored this advice .

stand on a balcony in front of the press , the President of the United States , wearing no such optic protection at all , stared up at the blazing Sun as the Moon graciously shift in front of it . consort to account , one aide cry out up at him : “ Do n’t look ! ”

He was originally shew wearing the protective glasses , but – in brief after flash a ovolo up to the gathering journalists – he decided to look up at the eclipse without wearing them . As ever , Trump merely could n’t assist himself .

Judging by the footage , it does n’t look like he stared down the full might of our local asterisk for too long , so it ’s unlikely his retinas got too peach . Still , we ’re not sure how he ’s going to make America groovy again if he ca n’t actually see .

Incidentally , a press spill get off out to journalist shortly before the eclipse get topographic point explained that the Commander - in - Chief would be “ watch out the total eclipse from the Truman Balcony [ of the White House ] with the First Lady . ” BuzzFeed ’s Zahra Hirjinotedthat from Washington DC , only a partial eclipse would be seen – and shortly afterward , the White House wardrobe program line was update .

The Trump giving medication and its figurehead already have the ignominiousreputationof being the mostanti - scientificfederal government in life memory board , but this may be a new record . Honestly : how can anyone get asolar eclipsewrong – on multiple juncture ?

Well , there ’s a first prison term for everything , we say .