Critics of President Donald Trump relish the opportunity to point out when he makes himself look foolish in front of the world.
As one of the most photographed people on the planet, Trump cannot escape embarrassing moments from filling social media timelines.
Sometimes the 80-year-old Republican sets himself up for ridicule, but this week, his own White House made him a laughingstock.
A post on the verified NASA account on X eventually led to an infamous image of Trump reigniting online mockery at his expense.
“It’s eclipse day. Come watch with us,” read a tweet shared by NASA, along with an 88-minute video covering the 2026 total eclipse on Aug. 12.
The White House account quote-tweeted NASA’s message. Additionally, the social media team added a nearly decade-old picture of Trump staring at a previous solar eclipse.
Back in August 2017, during the first Trump administration, photographers captured the MAGA leader gazing upward. He was standing on a White House balcony.
The former reality television star was mercilessly taunted at the time for looking up at the natural phenomenon without wearing the recommended safety glasses.
“At approximately 2:39, the president initially gesticulated to the crowd below and pointed at the sky,” a White House pool reporter noted.
The report continued, “As he did so, one of the White House aides standing beneath the Blue Room Balcony shouted, ‘don’t look.’”
Looking at the sun while the moon completely blocks its light can damage the eyes. Trump did eventually put on the protective eyewear.
First lady Melania Trump and their then-11-year-old son Barron Trump were by his side for the photo op. The other two members of the First Family donned the necessary glasses.
While aides reportedly warned Trump about the dangers of solar rays caused by an eclipse in his first term, his second-term staff leaned into the foolery.
The image shows the president smirking, leaning back on the balcony, and squinting toward the darkened sky. His signature blond combover stuck out from his head.
If the White House intended to present Trump as a man of science or as a charismatic strongman with the throwback photo, the mission failed.
“Nine years ago, every scientist in America said do not look at the sun without glasses. He looked at the sun without glasses. The White House is posting it today like it’s a highlight reel,” read a reply.
A second person added, “Y’all don’t realize how stupid this looks, do you? Hahahaha.” Similarly, a third stated, “His dumbass would look into the sun.”
“We know he’s a f–king moron. You don’t need to remind us,” one X user wrote. A like-minded poster expressed, “A photo reminding us how stupid Trump is.”
Trump’s disheveled hairdo in the 2017 snapshot also became a target when one individual on the app joked, “His wig looks like it’s about to fly off.”
Not all of the responses were negative. For instance, one Trump fan found humor in the flashback pic of the commander in chief making a fool of himself.
“The White House admin posting this is peak comedy! Remember your glasses this time, Mr. President,” an account on the app declared.
A debate on whether the White House was being serious or purposely trolling with the photo of Trump recklessly putting his eyesight at risk will likely never be resolved.
Meanwhile, additional Trump-related pictures have had the internet buzzing. His second presidency continues to be marred by shots of the New York native’s badly discolored hands.
Outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the bruises were caused by her boss constantly shaking hands on a daily basis.
Trump’s prescribed aspirin regimen and accidental table bumps were also blamed for the contusions. However, the administration’s excuses have been met with widespread skepticism.
Earlier this week, a Trump family photo enclosed in a gold frame located in the Oval Office went viral. The pic featured the president’s oldest son, 48-year-old Donald Trump Jr., hiding under the Resolute Desk.
