On Friday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” Politico White House Reporter Annie Karni stated President Trump might dislike German Chancellor Angela Merkel because “something about this powerful woman, who’s intimidating to people in the room with her, might bring up memories of Hillary Clinton and the election.”

Karni responded to a question on why Trump has such animosity for Merkel by saying, “I think there’s a lot going on here. I think he sees her as a bit of a threat. First of all, Steve Bannon, his chief strategist, hates the EU, sees Trump’s election and Brexit as a part of a movement that is in opposition to what Merkel stands for. I have a personal theory that something about this powerful woman, who’s intimidating to people in the room with her, might bring up memories of Hillary Clinton and the election.”

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett