US vice-president pictured with his left hand resting on ‘critical space flight hardware’ for the Orion programme

Mike Pence touches Nasa equipment right next to 'do not touch' sign

Mike Pence has jokingly defended himself after being photographed putting his hand on a piece of Nasa space equipment in contradiction of a “do not touch” sign.

Pence was pictured with his left hand resting on part of a spacecraft-in-the-making called the Orion, inches away from a notice with red lettering telling people not to touch the “critical space flight hardware”.

The image of Pence looking like he is communing with the Orion set Twitter alight and led to comparisons with US president Donald Trump, whose own tactile tendencies have gotten him into trouble.



Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) This is also the official GOP position on women's bodies pic.twitter.com/i0ouwUPV4h

… as well as some fast-turnaround Photoshopping.

Richard Rasa (@rasadeva) PENCE AT NASA: IS TRUMP’S BEHAVIOR CONTAGIOUS?#GORT2020 #trump pic.twitter.com/LPoA8JZwu8

One user pointed out a technicality of punctuation:

southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) In Pence's defense, "DO NOT TOUCH" is in quotes. pic.twitter.com/E6AXhxICnn

The American vice-president was quick to attempt to turn the narrative in his favour, joking that Marco Rubio, also present during the tour of Nasa Cape Canaveral in Florida, had “dared me to do it”.

Vice President Pence (@VP) Sorry @NASA...@MarcoRubio dared me to do it! pic.twitter.com/qIYtKOPyFh

He got even more into the spirit and booted up Photoshop himself:

Vice President Pence (@VP) Okay...so this isn't exactly the first time this has happened. pic.twitter.com/6Y7b3UlJXe

Marco Rubio continued the joke:

Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) In fairness, I warned @VP that "you break it, you own it" https://t.co/X5ROcnDVCd

The final word came from Nasa, who said that, contrary to the sign, it was “OK” to touch the panel. Apparently they were going to “clean it anyway”.