Featured Image Credit: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, Politics, US News, Twitter
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Social Media, Politics, US News, Twitter
The Secret Service has responded to the viral images of Donald Trump's 'Beast' that spread across social media over the weekend.
No, before you ask, the 'Beast' is not an actual monster - it's actually the 79-year-old's presidential limousine, which, according to SkyScape, is believed to boast a slew of Bond-style gadgets, including smoke screens and door handles rigged to send an electric shock to attackers.
Despite this, the vehicle caused quite the stir on Sunday (9 November) and eyebrows were raised over the US president's security and safety.
Trump was being chauffeured to Palm Beach International Airport to make the journey back to Washington after a weekend spent at his Palm Beach, Florida, Mar-a-Lago resort.
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But photographs taken by news agencies of the limousine showed the Republican leader's silhouette in the back seat while the trunk was open behind him, sparking concerns on social media.
It was unclear why the trunk was open or if it could have compromised Trump's security at all.
And now, the images have caused such a ruckus online that the Secret Service has been forced to issue a statement clarifying what happened.
The agency explained that the incident had no impact on the president’s journey.
A US Secret Service spokesperson told Tyla: "During the motorcade from Mar-A-Lago to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) one of the motorcade vehicle’s trunks inadvertently opened and remained in the upright position for a part of the motorcade route. 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."
Meanwhile, a Secret Service spokesperson told CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg: "The open trunk had no impact on the motorcade movement, vehicle systems or equipment."
So there you have it - not that exciting really, however, that hasn't stopped social media from making jokes about the unusual moment.
One Twitter user joked: "That's where they keep JD Vance - he has to breathe somehow!"
A second added: "It’s how he gets rid of secret documents now…"
A third questioned: "My 21 year-old Jeep indicates if my trunk is open but the President's ride... doesn't?"
Another user claimed: "This is a classic protection device - often seen in James Bond movies."
"Probably the same guy who turned off that escalator...," penned someone else, referencing Trump's trip to the UN in September, where he said he was 'triple sabotaged' by a faulty escalator, a broken teleprompter and the sound being off as he delivered his speech.
Tyla has contacted the Secret Service for further comment.