'Not a great strategy': CNN's Tapper points out how Trump's Comey tape lie backfired spectacularly

Responding to breaking news that President Donald Trump admitted he doesn't have recordings of his conversations with fired FBI Director James Comey, CNN's Jake Tapper speculated about what that admission means in the context of the president's previous statements hinting at the existence of "tapes."

"It is unclear why the president made that initial tweet," Tapper said. "Was it bluster, witness intimidation, a desire to pressure Comey to be as truthful as possible? Either way, the plan seems to have backfired."

Trump's tweet on May 12 that suggested Comey "better hope" there are no "tapes" of their conversations prompted the former FBI director to release his memos detailing their conversations, and he admitted that he hoped such tapes existed to keep the president accountable and result in the appointment of a special counselor.

"That tweet began a course of actions that resulted in the point of Robert Mueller," Tapper said. "So, not a great strategy, President Trump."

Watch the entire segment below via CNN.