Washington DC, United States
United States President Joe Biden, on Monday (Apr 8) posted a video ahead of the total solar eclipse urging people to wear protective eyewear to view the rare phenomenon and also seemingly mocking his predecessor.
Biden issues safety warning
“An eclipse is worth marveling at,” said the caption with which the video was posted, on X. The clip shows the US president standing on a White House balcony while wearing eclipse glasses looking at the sky.
“Folks, enjoy the eclipse. But, play it safe. Don’t be silly,” said Biden in the seven-second clip.
An eclipse is worth marveling at.
But don't be silly, folks – play it safe and wear protective eyewear. pic.twitter.com/S6REAiZ735
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 8, 2024
The clip also seemingly mocked his predecessor, former president Donald Trump whose images and videos taken during the eclipse in 2017 have gone viral recently.
On August 21, 2017, during Trump’s presidency, he was seen standing on a balcony of the White House with his wife Melania and his son Barron, during the eclipse when he directly looked at the sun multiple times and was even seen squinting and pointing.
This prompted an aide to shout, “Don’t look!” The former president was given eclipse glasses to wear, but he reportedly looked up at the sun at least six times, without them.
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Solar eclipses are arguably one of the most fascinating astronomical events to witness, but only with protective eyewear. It is also advised to never look directly at the sun as its rays can be intense and damage our eyes.
Trump posts bizarre campaign ad
Meanwhile, the former president ahead of the rare astronomical event took to his social media platform, Truth Social, and posted a bizarre campaign ad where his own head takes the place of the moon and blocks out the sun.
The video begins with dramatic music and visuals similar to the opening score of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The clip starts with the words, “The most important moment in human history is taking place in 2024.”
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Subsequently, it shows crowds of people wearing eclipse glasses looking at the sky in amazement. However, it is not the moon which is covering the sun, but an outline of Trump’s head creating the eclipse.
The clip then shows the crowds cheering. The nearly one-and-a-half-minute clip ends with the quote, “We will save America. And make it great again.”
Donald Trump just posted a solar eclipse campaign ad on Truth Social.pic.twitter.com/hbNHehsNEW
— Proud Elephant ??? (@ProudElephantUS) April 8, 2024
The campaign ad comes ahead of the US presidential election in November where Trump, a Republican, is expected to run against Democrat Biden, again.
(With inputs from agencies)