He knew what he was asking a question about, just not the exact wording (since he didn’t have the report in front of him):
“Is it correct that as reported in the Mueller report on June 19, 2017, you met alone in the Oval Office with the president?” Nadler asked.
Lewandowski replied: “Is there a book and page number you can reference to? I don’t have a copy of the report in front of me.”
Nadler knew this much, answering: “Volume 2, page 90. I simply asked you is it correct that as reported in the Mueller report [that] on June 19, 2017 you met alone in the Oval Office with the president?”
Lewandowski responded: “Could you read the exact language of the report, sir? I don’t have it available to me.”
Nadler: “I don’t think I need to do that and I have limited time. Did you meet with the president on that date?”
Lewandowski: “Congressman, I’d like for you to refresh my memory by providing a copy of the report so I can follow along.”
Nadler stopped the clock for the hearing while staffers gave Lewandowski a book. Nadler against referred to volume 2, page 90.
Lewandowski: “Which paragraph, sir?”
Nadler: “I don’t have it in front of me.”
Eventually, the committee chairman asked: “How many times did the president ask you to meet him in the White House?”
Lewandowski said: “The White House has directed me not to disclose the substance of any discussions.”
