Hillary Clinton Says Her 'Skin Crawled' When Trump Stood Behind Her

Hilary Hanson
Updated

If you found it a bit off-putting when then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump loomed behind Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton during a presidential debate in October, you weren’t alone.

“It was incredibly uncomfortable,” said Clinton, reading an excerpt from her upcoming book on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday morning. “He was literally breathing down my neck. My skin crawled.”

During the debate, Trump approached Clinton from behind and standing noticeably close to her, appearing to stare her down from the back. Numerous women commented on the familiar scene of a woman attempting to carry on as a man strikes an intimidating pose.

The incident came just a few days after Trump’s infamous “grab them by the pussy” remarks ― in which he boasted about sexually assaulting women ― became public, adding to the unsettling implications of him lurking behind a woman.

“It was one of those moments where you wish you could hit pause and ask everyone watching, ‘Well, what would you do?’” Clinton read from the excerpt. “Do you stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if he weren’t repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye and say loudly and clearly, ‘Back up, you creep. Get away from me. I know you love to intimidate women, but you can’t intimidate me, so back up.’”

Clinton’s book, What Happened, will be released Sept. 12, and details her perspective on the election that she ultimately lost to Donald Trump.

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Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary Clinton after the first Clinton-Dole debate in Hartford, Connecticut. October 6, 1996.
Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary Clinton after the first Clinton-Dole debate in Hartford, Connecticut. October 6, 1996.
A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room.&nbsp;February 17, 1993.&nbsp;<u></u>
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room. February 17, 1993. 
Addressing the press and taking questions on a wide range of topics in the East Room of the White House. The seventy-two-minute Q&amp;A came months after reporters began demanding that Clinton discuss her role in criticized commodity trades and an Arkansas land deal first reported on in 1992. It was her only such event during her tenure as First Lady. April 22, 1994.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997. 

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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