Keeping it cool: Teacher's fan makes Trump photo go viral

A teacher took a fan-tastic picture with US president Donald Trump during a visit to the White House.

Nikos Giannopoulos, who won Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, visited the Oval Office in April.

In an official picture, Mr Giannopoulos, is seen standing next to Mr Trump wearing a rainbow pin, which is a symbol of the LGBT community, and holding an ornate black lace fan.

In a Facebook post, the special needs teacher, at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, said he wore the pin to "represent my gratitude for the LGBT community that has taught me to be proud, bold, and empowered by my identity".

The 29-year-old added that he carried the fan "to celebrate the joy and freedom of gender nonconformity".

Since the photograph was posted on Thursday, it has been shared nearly 5,000 times and attracted more than 18,000 likes.

In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Mr Giannopoulos said the president had "loved the fan".

"I popped it open when I walked into the office because I'm a very sassy person. And [President] Trump complimented it right away."

"When it came time for the photo, I just asked the president, "Do you mind if I use the fan for the photo?" He said, "Absolutely go for it." So I popped my fan and did my pose," he added.