CNN anchor Jake Tapper was visibly stunned by President Donald Trump's statements in the Oval Office on Monday.
During a news conference on Monday, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked Trump whether he was considering pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking. Trump suggested he was unaware of critical facts in Maxwell's case, and told Collins he would have to "look at" her case to determine if a pardon was necessary.
"I haven't heard the name in so long," Trump said. "I would have to take a look at it."
Tapper played footage of the exchange on his show "The Lead."
"That's sure bizarre!" Tapper exclaimed.
Observers and political pundits have speculated that Trump would offer Maxwell a pardon in exchange for information he could use against his political opponents.
Trump's deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, met with Maxwell earlier this year. The administration later released a tape where Maxwell says she never saw Trump do anything inappropriate in front of her.
Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Florida to an all-women prison camp in Texas in August.
