CNN anchor John Berman on Monday called President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's comment that first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpTrump privately blamed Black Americans for lacking initiative: report The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Melania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' MORE had done "a tremendous job representing our country in Africa — like no one has before” an “absurd” thing to say.

Berman made the remarks during a discussion with New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman, who noted that Melania's trip to Africa was similar to trips taken by other first ladies.

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Berman cited past presidents’ work in Africa, highlighting former President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush’s work on reducing AIDS on the continent.

“It is absurd. That is absolutely absurd,” he said. “Literally it is like everyone has done before in these trips to Africa. And this statement is on its face absurd, but we know it’s the kind of thing that the president likes.”

Haberman added that she thinks the statements are Trump’s way of “complimenting his wife.”