As he was leaving Mar-a-Lago for the White House this weekend, President Donald Trump was seen in the back of his official limousine — with one glaring error.
CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins on Monday tweeted a photo of Trump leaving his Florida estate for the Palm Beach International Airport, with the trunk of the limousine (referred to as "The Beast") wide open while in transit. CNN's Samantha Waldenberg initially called attention to the photo — which was taken by Getty Images' Jim Watson — and pointed out that the U.S. Secret Service acknowledged the open trunk.
"The open trunk had no impact on the motorcade movement, vehicle systems or equipment," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told Waldenberg.
"He said there was no impact on security and the 'movement occurred without incident,'" Waldenberg added.
Journalist Luke Brenner also confirmed the trunk of the president's limousine was open while in transit, posting a video of Trump's motorcade with the open trunk clearly visible during its four-mile trip to the airport. The Daily Beast quoted Matt Fagiana, a separate Secret Service spokesperson, who attributed the open trunk to an unspecified "mechanical" issue.
"During the motorcade from Mar-a-Lago to Palm Beach International Airport, one of the motorcade vehicles’ trunks inadvertently opened and remained in the upright position for a part of the motorcade route,” Fagiana said. “No items were lost or displaced while in transit. The issue was determined to be mechanical in nature, has been identified, and has since been repaired."
Trump was nonetheless subjected to ridicule on social media for the mishap.
Wake County, North Carolina, elected official Jenna Wadsworth wrote: "My 21 year-old Jeep indicates if my trunk is open but the President's ride... doesn't?!"
Another X user simply described the incident as "incompetent."
"This is the stupidest administration of all time," tweeted interior decorator Rita Powell.