CNN's Jake Tapper Revisits the John Edwards Affair Through Lens of Mistress Rielle Hunter (Exclusive Clip)

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In an upcoming episode of "United States of Scandal," Tapper sits down with Hunter to learn how her infamous affair with a promising Democratic politician unfolded from her point of view

<p>CNN</p> Rielle Hunter speaks with Jake Tapper for an episode of CNN

CNN

Rielle Hunter speaks with Jake Tapper for an episode of CNN's "United States of Scandal"

Jake Tapper is revisiting the infamous John Edwards affair for his upcoming episode of United States of Scandal — rewinding the clock with none other than Edwards' onetime mistress, Rielle Hunter, more than 15 years after she entered the national spotlight.

In a preview of Sunday's episode obtained exclusively by PEOPLE, Tapper, 54, asks Hunter, now 59, how she and the ex-North Carolina senator met, kicking off a years-long extramarital affair that unraveled Edwards' political legacy.

Related: Former Presidential Candidate John Edwards Says 'I Am Ashamed of My Conduct' After Admitting Affair

During their conversation, Hunter tells Tapper it was a “fluke” that she ended up in the same New York City bar as Edwards in 2006. At the time, a very-married Edwards was preparing to launch his 2008 presidential campaign after losing the vice presidency just two years prior.

“He was in a business meeting. I was with my friend. We were at a table and John Edwards was behind her. And he kept looking at me as though he knew me as well," Hunter recalls in the exclusive clip above.

“And then we got up and left and when we were standing on the corner, John Edwards turned the corner and saw me there,” she continues. “And he, like, literally almost jumped into my arms. And my response — what came out of my mouth was, ‘You’re so hot.’”

"And what did he say back?” Tapper asks, to which she responds in Edwards’ voice, “Why, thank you.”

Related: The Edwards Affair: The Mysterious Other Woman, Rielle Hunter

Sara D. Davis/Getty Images News Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards was the Democratic Party's 2004 vice presidential nominee and 2008 presidential candidate
Sara D. Davis/Getty Images News Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards was the Democratic Party's 2004 vice presidential nominee and 2008 presidential candidate

Hunter goes on to tell Tapper that she offered to “help” the politician, which prompted him to invite her up to his hotel room.

“So you went to his room?” Tapper inquires. Hunter confirms, saying that she didn't think the vibe was sexual at the time.

“You didn’t?” Tapper responds with some disbelief. “Because it sounds like there was an attraction. You said, ‘You’re so hot.’ I mean that's inherently a little sexual.”

“I know, I know, I know,” Hunter concedes.

Related: Rielle Hunter Brags About Her 'Amazing' Daughter with John Edwards – Francis Quinn Is Now 7

The scene is one of many in the third episode of United States of Scandal as Tapper explores Edwards’ scandalous affair with Hunter.

As CNN explains, Edwards long appeared to be “a crusading trial attorney and family man” — poised to be the “picture-perfect presidential candidate” — until the news of the affair got out, coupled with allegations of a federal campaign violation.

Instead of revisiting the affair through Edwards' perspective, Tapper aims to get Hunter's point-of-view more than 15 years after she was thrust into the national spotlight.

United States of Scandal airs on CNN Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.

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Read the original article on People.