White House celebrates solar eclipse by reposting 2017 photo of Trump without eyewear

Published August 12, 2026 2:48pm ET | Updated August 12, 2026 2:48pm ET



As Spain, Greenland, and Iceland celebrate a solar eclipse darkening their skies midday on Wednesday, the Trump administration’s White House account on X joined in on the fun by reposting a viral 2017 picture of President Donald Trump looking up at an eclipse with his bare eyes.

In Trump’s first year of his first presidency, a total solar eclipse passed across the United States, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina, while being partially or fully visible in all continental U.S. states. The 2017 eclipse brought out millions of Americans who watched the solar event from their backyards or local parks, using special solar eclipse glasses to prevent eye damage.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.