President Donald Trump dove into a pool of his own element on Monday with a “Made in America Day” event at the White House that featured everything from fire trucks to 10-gallon hats.
The event marks the start of Trump’s new “Made in America Week,” which he made official on Monday, to celebrate American manufacturers and promote growth in American business.
Made in America trucks (and boat and a forklift) on the South Lawn. The president will be touring them later. pic.twitter.com/BfzvjGuSCo
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) July 17, 2017
Appearing sprightly and energized, Trump perused the various vehicles assembled outside the White House and later tested out some of the other products on display in the Made in America Product Showcase. It was a light-hearted moment for an embattled administration. And it made for some great photos, which quickly began to go viral on Monday.
Bloomberg White House reporter Jennifer Epstein snapped what is likely the most popular image of the day: Trump sitting in a fire truck as Vice President Mike Pence held open the door.
Trump in a fire truck, Pence looks on pic.twitter.com/eg6kdO80Np
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) July 17, 2017
“Where’s the fire? I’ll put it out,” Trump said to the crowd.
People on Twitter (to be specific, snarky media people) were quick to jump on the photo as something more than just a 70-year-old world leader pretending to be a firefighter.
https://twitter.com/mekosoff/status/887028767285288960
uh oh, someone find mother ASAP pic.twitter.com/Wk7LJCsh8D
— Ashley Feinberg (ashleyfeinberg.bsky.social) (@ashleyfeinberg) July 17, 2017
“My dad got me a fire hat, it’s really a helmet but I call it a hat, it was yellow but my favorite color is red.”
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) July 17, 2017
“Yes Mr. President.” https://t.co/PG6ty27GTg
“Okay – Just five more minutes…” https://t.co/hk8Tok5DdN
— Stephen Lautens (@stephenlautens) July 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/DylanReeve/status/887037559758495744
Trump is obsessed with the ceremonial aspects of the presidency. The work, not so much. https://t.co/7uyGK0Yx4d
— Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) July 17, 2017
CAPTION CONTEST https://t.co/qPdvJHc7sw
— David Solimini (@CommsDirector) July 17, 2017
Epstein later snapped a picture of Trump holding one of the inscribed Marucci baseball bats (made in Louisiana), some of which were presented to the Louisiana delegation.
Trump: “I love to play baseball” pic.twitter.com/HmxpgNxEVZ
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) July 17, 2017
Trump also tried on a Stetson cowboy hat (made in Texas, of course) and posed for the cameras.
President Trump puts on a cowboy hat. pic.twitter.com/oqJoRvxGXQ
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 17, 2017
Trump has run his campaign under the “America first” banner, with jobs taking center stage in his administration’s rhetoric and efforts. However, “Made in America Week” began with uncomfortable reminders that many products produced under the Trump name are manufactured outside the United States.
