Stanley Kubrick’s epic 2001: A Space Odyssey was lauded for its pioneering special effects and iconic music, but the latest work inspired by the 1968 film may have the director turning in his grave.
Donald Trump posted a campaign video to the film’s famous theme, Also sprach Zarathustra, with special effects that seemed almost comically amateurish.
Starting with footage of people viewing the eclipse, the ad states: “The most important moment in human history is taking place in 2024.” A stylised silhouette of the Republican candidate then slowly progresses across the sun until it has been eclipsed and the words “We will save America and make it great again” appear on the screen.
A compilation of faces of Americans follows before the ad fades out to chants of “USA, USA”. The video concludes with the words: “Trump 2024”.
• Total solar eclipse chasers look on in awe at ‘cosmic ballet’
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Trump has gone viral on social media during a solar eclipse before. In August 2017 images of Trump looking up at a solar eclipse from the White House balcony without wearing protective eyewear were posted on Twitter.
Trump, who was president at the time, was standing alongside his wife, Melania, and their son Barron. Someone in the crowd could be heard saying: “Don’t look!”
President Biden reminded his followers of the 2017 clip. He shared a video of himself donning protective eyewear before looking up as he stood on the same White House balcony. In a voiceover, Biden said, “Folks, enjoy the eclipse but play it safe, don’t be silly” in a clear jab at his predecessor.
Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, was more direct. She shared a photo of Trump squinting at the eclipse without glasses and linked to a tweet she posted in 2020 which read: “Please do not take medical advice from a man who looked directly at a solar eclipse.”
