Trump watches the eclipse without glasses with Melania

The total eclipse of the sun on Monday was a family affair for President Trump, who viewed the the action from the terrace of the White House alongside First Lady Melania and their son Barron. 

President Trump also invited a few co-workers along for the event, with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and his daughter Ivanka also joining the group. 

In his initial excitement however, President Trump made the mistake at looking up at the sun without glasses, and quickly cast his eyes down as he was blinded by the light.

He then looked up at the sun a second time. 

 

There goes the sun: President Trump had an eclipse viewing party on the terrace of the White House Monday afternoon (President and First lady above on Monday)

Blinded by the light: As soon as he walked out on the terrace, President Trump looked up at the sun without wearing his protective glasses (above)

Blinded by the light: As soon as he walked out on the terrace, President Trump looked up at the sun without wearing his protective glasses (above)

Getting a base: President trump quickly closed his eyes after making that mistake while Melania kept her eyes averted from the sky (above)

Getting a base: President trump quickly closed his eyes after making that mistake while Melania kept her eyes averted from the sky (above)

Almost there: President Trump got his NASA-issued solar eclipse glasses in place after his second attempt to look at the sun without protection (above)

Almost there: President Trump got his NASA-issued solar eclipse glasses in place after his second attempt to look at the sun without protection (above)

Tanning Trumps: Melania then did the same thing a short while later, holding her protective glasses in her hands while looking up at the sun (above on left)

Tanning Trumps: Melania then did the same thing a short while later, holding her protective glasses in her hands while looking up at the sun (above on left)

It burns: Barron, who is 11, was the sole member of his immediate family who did not gaze directly at the sun without protective eyewear

It burns: Barron, who is 11, was the sole member of his immediate family who did not gaze directly at the sun without protective eyewear

Proper protocol: Ivanka and Secretary of Commerce both remembered to properly protect their eyes during the rare event

Proper protocol: Ivanka and Secretary of Commerce both remembered to properly protect their eyes during the rare event

Ivanka has been sharing her excitement for the eclipse over the past few days, writing about the phenomenon on her social media accounts.

‘Excited for #Eclipse2017? Remember to wear your glasses,’ wrote Ivanka early Monday afternoon, some advice she should have shared with her father and stepmother. 

She later shared an image as she viewed the start of the event from the National Air and Space Museum with workers from NASA. 

And in a third post on Instagram, Ivanka shared a gallery of images that showed the viewing party on the White House terrace. 

‘Sharing the #Eclipse2017 experience with the President, First Lady and Cabinet Secretaries today on the White House Truman Balcony,’ wrote Ivanka.

Her photos showed herself, Donald, Melania, Barron, Secretary Ross, Secretary Sessions and United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. 

Sessions, Lighthizer and Ross arrived on the balcony around 2:15pm and were joined by Ivanka approximately 15 minutes later at 2:30pm for the spectacle.

President Trump came out with the First Lady and Barron just before 2:40pm and looked at the eclipse for less than two minutes before returning inside to the White House.

Shake it off: President Trump gives his Attorney General Jeff Sessions a big handshake after first arriving on the balcony (above) as a smiling Melania looks on

Shake it off: President Trump gives his Attorney General Jeff Sessions a big handshake after first arriving on the balcony (above) as a smiling Melania looks on

Lord of the light:  Sessions covers his eyes with protective glasses as he prepares to take in the eclipse

Lord of the light: Sessions covers his eyes with protective glasses as he prepares to take in the eclipse

Glorious:Sessions (left) appeared overjoyed and giddy as he watched the spectacle, while Ross (right) remained a bit more blase

Glorious:Sessions (left) appeared overjoyed and giddy as he watched the spectacle, while Ross (right) remained a bit more blase

Work hard, play hard: Ivanka has been excitedly writing about the eclipse on social media for the past 24 hours (above on Monday with Sessions in rear)

Work hard, play hard: Ivanka has been excitedly writing about the eclipse on social media for the past 24 hours (above on Monday with Sessions in rear)

Story time: The First Lady looks on as President Trump stares up at the eclipse on Monday

Story time: The First Lady looks on as President Trump stares up at the eclipse on Monday

Melan-isandre: The First Lady and President took in the eclipse for a few minutes before returning inside 

Melan-isandre: The First Lady and President took in the eclipse for a few minutes before returning inside 

Business: Ivanka took some time to speak with her father while the two were out on the balcony Monday afternoon (above)

Business: Ivanka took some time to speak with her father while the two were out on the balcony Monday afternoon (above)

Pleasure: Ivanka, wearing a pair of her shades from her eponymous label, seemed thrilled to see Secretary Ross, whose third wife Hilary Geary Ross is a key figure on the New York society scene 

Pleasure: Ivanka, wearing a pair of her shades from her eponymous label, seemed thrilled to see Secretary Ross, whose third wife Hilary Geary Ross is a key figure on the New York society scene 

Also catching the eclipse from the White House on Monday were interim Communications Director Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway and Omarosa Manigault.

Conway watched on the Blue Room balcony just before the President and First Lady came out to the terrace while Hicks and Manigault were part of a group who assembled on the lawn of the White House.

Jared Kushner, who was not seen returning with his wife from Bedminster on Sunday, was again missing from the eclipse viewing on Monday afternoon. 

President Trump also managed to show some good will towards Sessions after months of feuding, as he shook the Attorney General’s hand soon after arriving on the balcony.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk