Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump puts on protective glasses to view the solar eclipse at the White House, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, gestures at the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, as they viewed the solar eclipse.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump points to the sun as he arrives to view the solar eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at the White House in Washington.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wear protective glasses as they view the solar eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at the White House in Washington.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wear protective glasses as they view the solar eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at the White House in Washington.
Andrew Harnik, The Associated Press
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President Donald Trump puts on protective glasses to view the solar eclipse at the White House, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Washington.
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PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump squinted and pointed skyward before donning protective glasses to take in the solar eclipse at the White House.
The president was joined by wife Melania, son Barron and top aides Monday afternoon to view the spectacle from the portico overlooking the South Lawn. The White House originally said Trump would watch from the second-floor Truman balcony.
Shortly after walking outside, the president looked up at the sky, squinted and pointed upward.
“Don’t look,” one staffer yelled from the White House lawn.
Trump then donned the protective eyewear. Asked about the view, Trump gave a thumbs up.
This is the first total solar eclipse to sweep the United States from coast to coast in nearly a century, although Washington experienced about 80 percent coverage of the sun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople gather to watch the total solar eclipse, at Carhenge, on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostThe total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA couple in welding masks stop for a kiss before the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople gather to watch the total solar eclipse, at Carhenge, on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostThe Solar Eclipse is seen from Downtown Denver in Civic Center Park Aug. 21, 2017.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostPeople gather in Civic Center Park downtown Denver to observe the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostMeredith Levy, center, and her daughter Zahava, 6, bottom right, use glasses to view the sun during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostA woman looks at the the sun through a tree as it projects crescent shadows on the ground during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Seth McConnell, The Denver PostSepideh Kianbakht looks at the sun during a solar eclipse viewing party at Colorado School of Mines on Aug. 21, 2017, in Golden. The Colorado School of Mines canceled classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday so students could take in the solar eclipse.
Seth McConnell, The Denver PostStudents sit on a ridge as they watch the sun during a solar eclipse viewing party at Colorado School of Mines on Aug. 21, 2017, in Golden. The Colorado School of Mines canceled classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday so students could take in the solar eclipse.
Seth McConnell, The Denver PostMiles Thiry peers through a telescope at the sun during a solar eclipse viewing party at Colorado School of Mines on Aug. 21, 2017, in Golden. The Colorado School of Mines canceled classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday so students could take in the solar eclipse.
Seth McConnell, The Denver PostIgnacio Varela kicks a hackey sack as he plays with a group of friends during a solar eclipse viewing party at Colorado School of Mines on Aug. 21, 2017, in Golden. The Colorado School of Mines canceled classes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday so students could take in the solar eclipse.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostAmelia Foster, 10, looks at the sun while on the grass during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostKids participate in an "Eclipsercise" to re-create the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was also a safe solar-scope viewing.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostVolunteer Marlene Goettelman looks through a telescope during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostMichael Whalen, left, Kate Musselman, right, and Seika Blue, 7, bottom, look at the sun during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver PostPhebe Delaney enjoys watching the eclipse during the Great American Eclipse observation event Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. There was a safe solar-scope viewing and an "Eclipsercise" where kids re-created the movements of the moon and Earth with their bodies.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDomenic Geboe looks at the eclipse as it goes into totality on the Wind River Indian Reservation on Aug. 21, 2017 in Riverton, Wyo.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFrank Whitby, of Salt Lake City, Utah, watches the total solar eclipse through a box with solar film affixed to the front on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarol Wilmot (left), Jeri Kennah (center) and Phyllis Kriese watch the total solar eclipse along with fellow residents at Mountain Vista Retirement Residence on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostThe total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Nebraska.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostStargazers watch the night sky as they camp near Carhenge on Aug. 20, 2017 in Alliance, Nebraska. People are gathering near Carhenge to watch the upcoming total solar eclipse.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHank Fridell, of Custer South Dakota, test out his eclipse glasses and his foil hat while visiting Carhenge with a group of friends on Aug. 20, 2017 in Alliance, Neb. Fridell came to watch Monday's total solar eclipse.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostRare sunspots are captured in this photo of the sun on Aug. 20, 2017 in Alliance, Neb. Thousand are coming to Alliance to see the total solar eclipse.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostJack Patzold, a hobbyist astronomer looks at sunspots on the sun through his telescope that he has set up to view the eclipse at an RV park on Aug. 20, 2017 in Shoshoni, Wyo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWisteria Fenley, 6, tests out her solar eclipse glasses in preparation for tomorrow's solar eclipse near her family's camp site on the grounds of the Wind River Hotel and Casino on Aug. 20, 2017 in Riverton, Wyo. Lots are slowly filling up with more RVs, campers, and cars as the Great American Eclipse draws closer. The Fenley family came to view the spectacle from Provo, Utah.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA truck pulling a camper arrives at Toadstock, a 3-day festival, where people are staying to see the upcoming solar eclipse on Aug. 19, 2017 in Alliance, Neb. The festival is taking place on a farm outside of town.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostJessica Brady and her daughter Anastasia 2, play at Carhenge after arriving from Loveland, Colo., to watch the total solar eclipse on Aug. 20, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostJohn Cruickshank, left, and his wife Catherine Lasswell enjoy a room with a view at an RV park on Aug. 20, 2017 in Shoshoni, Wyo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostEric Romberg teaches his sons Jarrett, 6, left, and John, 7, right, how to use their eclipse glasses at City Park on Aug. 20, 2017 in Lander, Wyo. Romberg arrived late last night from Littleton, Colo., to view the solar eclipse with his kids.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy Ash Whitt took the opportunity of the eclipse coming to town to sell some of his wares along main street on Aug. 20, 2017 in Shoshoni, Wyo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDespite dire predictions of gridlocked traffic, most highways near Lander, Riverton and Shoshoni flow easily the day before the eclipse on Aug. 20, 2017 in Shoshoni, Wyoming.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostHorses in a field look curiously towards people arriving on the grounds of the Wind River Hotel and Casino for the upcoming American solar eclipse on Aug. 20, 2017 in Riverton, Wyoming. Lots are slowly filling up with more RV's, campers, and cars as the Great American Eclipse draws closer.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPaul Smith, left, his daughter Ceilidh,16, center, and wife Tabitha camp at Over the Hill Campground next to Carhenge on Aug. 20, 2017 in Alliance , Nebraska. The family from Denver came to watch the total solar eclipse.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostGarrett Hilts sells homemade food and coffee for people at City Park on Aug. 20, 2017 in Lander, Wyoming. Hilts, who came from the San Luis Valley in Colorado to watch the eclipse, thought he would help make morning easier for folks by offering breakfast burritos, muffins and coffee at the park.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostJeremy Pfeiffer sells water to people coming into town for the total solar eclipse on Aug. 19, 2017 in Alliance, Nebraska. Pfeiffer sells his water in front of a makeshift rest area along highway 87.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostCharles Brooks, of South Dakota, looks at sunspots through binoculars that he outfitted with welding glass as he camps on Aug. 19, 2017 in Alliance, Neb. Brooks is in town for Monday's total solar eclipse.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMembers of the Northern Arapaho tribe drum group called the Young Falcons play during a local tribal pow wow on the eve of the great American Eclipse on Aug. 20, 2017 in Riverton, Wyo. The Pow Wow was held to honor native American war veterans and to mark the upcoming eclipse.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDelmer Duran, 12, dances traditional Northern Arapaho dances during a local tribal pow wow on the eve of the great American Eclipse on August 20, 2017 in Riverton, Wyo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPatrick Littleshield right, and Josiah Divers, left, both Northern Arapaho, get prepared to dance with the Eagle Spirit dancers and singers as they perform for visitors in town for the great American Eclipse in Reynolds Park on Aug. 19, 2017 in Lander, Wyo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostZariah Whiteplume, a Northern Arapaho, performs an intricate hoop dance as she dances with the Native Strut Hoop Dancers and the Eagle Spirit dancers for visitors in town for the great American Eclipse at Reynolds Park on Aug. 19, 2017 in Lander, Wyo.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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People gather to watch the total solar eclipse, at Carhenge, on Aug. 21, 2017 in Alliance, Neb.
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