The internet is going bananas with monkey see monkey do jokes after Vice President Pence copied President Trump when he moved his water bottle from the table to the floor during a FEMA meeting.
The bizarre copycat behavior happened during a crucial meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Association that focused on America’s preparations ahead of the 2018 hurricane season.
Caught on camera, Trump takes his water bottle off the table- and without skipping a beat, Pence does the exact same move.
The only other difference is that Trump strangely takes the napkin off the table and perhaps has placed it somewhere in his lap.
He places the bottle under the table: For whatever reason, Trump took his water bottle off the table, and placed it on the floor. Trump then took at the napkin and placed it in his lap
Without skipping a beat- Pence did the exact same move, minus the whole napkin business
The bizarre behavior happened during an important meeting at FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center- perhaps coordinating was on the table
Political pundits suggested the mimicking was a result of Pence’s ingrained understanding of the president’s apparent obsession with image, however Trump failed to mention the dire needs of Puerto Rico during the on-camera portion of the meeting.
Those experts say water bottle on or off the table for the leaders of the free world is inconsequential, as they missed the perfect opportunity to address the needs of Puerto Rico, which is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Maria last year.
Despite that, Twitter users went to town with conspiracy theories and wise cracks on the strange mirror-like move by Pence.
One woman shared her husband’s analysis of the Pence-Trump water bottle video, in which he texted her that the move is clearly a ‘FreeMason hidden signal thing. Dan Brown will base his next book on it.’
Another person, thought it just the strangest thing yet. ‘This business of Mike Pence aping Trump’s move with a water bottle just might be the weirdest, creepiest thing I’ve seen out of them yet. Just weird man,’ wrote a person who goes by Schutzie on Twitter.
Schmtzie wasn’t done with the issue just yet either, they added: ‘By copying Trump’s move with the water bottle Pence is showing the country he is capable of stepping in and being just as big of a freaking weirdo as Trump, if necessary.’
Twitter user CJ Davies also found the mimic odd, sharing: ‘Pence’s water bottle put down is classic, “Monkey See, Monkey Do.” Just what the heck is going on here?’
Twitter user Christina Rea pondered the issue saying, ‘This looks like a very ingrained action. Trump doesn’t want ‘unsightly’ water/napkin in the frame w/ him. Pence knows immediately what is going & w/out looking up moves it to accommodate him. Not saying Pence is a victim but I recognize this abusive/controlling behavior.
Either way, whatever the move was, it is not the first time we’ve seen number two copying number one.
In 2016, when the two men were still on the campaign trail, NBC News’ Ali Vitali shot a video of Pence perfectly copying Trump’s waves and gestures.