Trump was sleazy with a reporter. Her awkward laugh felt all too familiar

[forgotmylogin]

From the Guardian:

Women know from experience that, if a man says something sexual or inappropriate, calling him out is not always the best move.

Trump, who was on the phone with the Irish prime minister at the time, asked ((reporter, Caitriona)) Perry to come toward his desk while he called her “beautiful” and remarked on her “nice smile”. He then said to newly elected Leo Varadkar: “I bet she treats you well.”

It was a tense and cringe-inducing moment, one Perry called later called “bizarre” on Twitter. In the aftermath, though, some noted that Perry continued to smile and laugh as the president spoke to her, as if that meant the exchange didn’t bother or trouble her.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/29/trump-sleazy-reporter-awkward-laugh-felt-all-too-familiar
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Video at link.

I bring this up because it uncomfortably echoes the Cosby defense of "Why did she continue to socialize and maintain the relationship if she were somehow traumatized and violated by him?"

"I bet she treats you well," like he's her pimp.

I'm by no means qualified to testify regarding all the indignities women have suffered throughout history, even the small ones that men believe are "innocent" ("I just complimented her smile!&quot but I'm slowly starting to become aware when it happens.

"I got all three of your stories. Great report Jenkins! Captial investigation on that racketeering story, Michaels! Marion, you look great in that dress."

[Hortensis]

1. Sleazy, but IMO the story is his trying to flirt while on a call

to another world leader. Incredibly boorish, loutish, the very antithesis of statesmanlike.

[forgotmylogin]

2. That too.

I think it's that whole "Mad Men" conversational grease that used to be en vogue. "I got a stable of hot secretaries here, you should visit."

Is it worse when the President objectifies women on the phone, in public, on camera, or does that carry some kind of executive privilege as well?

(I'm not questioning you, Hortensis, just grousing rhetorically.)

[pirateshipdude]

3. I get away with it because of power and celebrity.

Leo Varadkar needs to put out a statement and ridicule Trump his behavior. His job, for his citizens he represents. Fingers crossed.

[forgotmylogin]

4. I think it's the way insecure men try to make themselves feel bigger.

But the collateral damage is it makes women feel smaller in comparison.

[pirateshipdude]

6. All about dominance thinking women subservient. Eom

[exboyfil]

5. It is hard to think on the spot

but I hope a repeat of the episode might lead to an aggressive response (on the order of the fire back to Sarah Sanders by Karem).

If Trump isn't going to respect the office of the Presidency, then why should he expect anyone else to.

These opportunities are few and far between and it goes beyond the mandate of a journalist, but it has come time to try to bait him publicly as much as possible. Don't back down. You will be doing the country a service.

[spooky3]

7. You can believe if she had called out the behavior on the spot

Many critics would quickly point out how she was "overreacting" and "misinterpreting" his behavior.