【1998 Archives】

No matter how hard we want it to998 Archives 2016's election never seems to fully go away.

For many women who chose to watch President Trump's joint press conference with Angela Merkel on Friday, the experience hit far too close to home. Not only did Trump's body language mirror his movements on the debate stage with Hillary Clinton (when will thatmemory go away?) it reminded them of their own personal interactions with powerful men who seemed to resent their presence.

If you haven't watched the full conference, please don't. Watch this very brief clip instead, where Chancellor Merkel asks Trump for a handshake, only to have it be rejected. It's not just that Trump refuses to shake her hand. He doesn't even look her in the eye.

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?
Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?
Trump: *no response*
Merkel: *makes awkward face* pic.twitter.com/ehgpCnWPg7

— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 17, 2017

Prominent feminists, comedians and women on Twitter struggled to watch this insulting viral moment. It wasn't easy watching one of the most powerful women in the world -- and a prominent American ally -- get ignored, regardless of you think of his actual handshakes.

I think a lot of women will find Trump refusing to even look at Merkel during that presser pretty familiar

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) March 17, 2017

There have been so many times I've been introduced to men who won't look me in the eye, or talk as if I'm not there.

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) March 17, 2017

Trump probably didn't count on the presidency forcing him to spend time with so many women over the age of 35.

— 💀Maggie Serota 💀 (@maggieserota) March 17, 2017

Trump's body language n scowl while #Merkel speaks. Rarely even looks her in eyes. His disrespect for women is clear.
Unless shes a 10.
Ass

— Claudia (@theClaudiaInez) March 17, 2017

Of course Trump wouldn't shake hands with Merkel. He's afraid if he makes contact with an intelligent women he might catch human decency.

— beth loves cake,so (@bourgeoisalien) March 17, 2017

The body language differences are just so striking. https://t.co/GDnCMmdS6H

— ...she persisted. 🗽 (@leahmcelrath) March 17, 2017

Trump's refusal to look Angela Merkel in the eye or to shake her hand belies his abject disrespect for all women. Today we are all Angela. pic.twitter.com/0vlXIBuSFP

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 17, 2017

It's clear that women have been in this position before: sitting or standing there awkwardly, while powerful men refuse to acknowledge their presence.

Remember this sad viral moment?

Election 2016 has *officially* ended, but its awkward body language lives on.