Listen to the article
Former President Bill Clinton spent over six hours facing questions from lawmakers on Friday regarding his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, firmly stating that he “saw nothing, and did nothing wrong” in his interactions with the disgraced financier.
The closed-door deposition, held in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York, marked an unprecedented event—the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It followed a separate deposition given by Hillary Clinton just one day earlier.
“We have questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction,” said Republican Rep. James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee. “Once you knew Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender, why did you continue a relationship?”
In his opening statement, which Clinton shared on social media, the former president maintained that he had already ceased associating with Epstein well before the financier’s 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. While acknowledging that recalling specific details from more than two decades ago would be challenging, Clinton expressed certainty that he had never witnessed signs of Epstein’s abuse.
Republican lawmakers emerging from the session offered mixed assessments. Rep. John McGuire accused Clinton of having “selective memory” during questioning, while others acknowledged his candor. Rep. Nick Langworthy noted that “Clinton was quite candid, perhaps more candid than his attorneys were comfortable,” while Comer described the former president as “charming” throughout the proceedings.
The congressional interest in Clinton’s connections to Epstein intensified last year following the Department of Justice’s release of case files that contained several photos of the former president. One image showed Clinton on a plane with his arm around an unidentified person whose face was redacted, while another depicted him with Ghislaine Maxwell—later convicted of sex trafficking—in a swimming pool.
Comer claimed the committee has evidence that Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency and that Clinton later flew on Epstein’s private jet 27 times. The two men also made several international trips together for humanitarian work.
In his statement, Clinton directly addressed these connections: “We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long. And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.” The former president also criticized Comer for compelling Hillary Clinton to testify, stating that “including her was simply not right.”
Democratic lawmakers, while supporting the investigation into Clinton’s Epstein ties, have argued that the deposition sets a precedent that should apply to former President Donald Trump, who also had connections to Epstein. “I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat.
Republicans have resisted these calls, claiming that Trump has already addressed questions about Epstein through the press and that they have found no evidence of wrongdoing in Trump’s relationship with the financier. Trump himself expressed sympathy for Clinton’s situation, telling reporters, “I like Bill Clinton, and I don’t like seeing him deposed.”
The investigation has expanded beyond the Clintons. Democrats are now calling for the resignation of Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who maintained some contact with Epstein after 2005 despite previously claiming to have cut ties with him. Case files revealed that Lutnick attended a 2011 event at Epstein’s home and had lunch with him on his private island in 2012.
“He should be removed from office and, at a minimum, should come before the committee,” Garcia said of Lutnick. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna expressed confidence that “we will have the votes to subpoena him.”
The committee plans to quickly release transcripts and video recordings of both days of depositions as the investigation continues.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
Epstein’s connections to powerful individuals have long been a source of public interest and concern. I hope this investigation sheds light on the full extent of those relationships and any potential wrongdoing. The truth needs to be uncovered, no matter where it leads.
The grilling of a former president by Congress is an extraordinary event. I’m curious to hear more details about the specific questions posed and Clinton’s responses. This case highlights the importance of accountability, even for those in positions of power.
This case highlights the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable, regardless of their political affiliations or status. I’m hopeful the investigation will uncover the full truth and provide the public with a credible, well-substantiated account of Clinton’s relationship with Epstein.
This case underscores the need for robust oversight and accountability, even for former presidents. I’m interested to see what additional information emerges from the congressional investigation and Clinton’s testimony. The public deserves answers.
This is a sensitive topic that deserves careful consideration. It’s important to hear all sides and avoid rushing to judgment without a full understanding of the facts. I hope the investigation is thorough and transparent, and leads to the truth, whatever that may be.
While Clinton maintains his innocence, the public deserves a thorough, impartial investigation into his ties to Epstein. Transparency is crucial, and I hope the congressional inquiry yields a clear understanding of the nature and extent of their interactions.
Clinton’s response raises some questions. While he may not have witnessed wrongdoing firsthand, his continued association with Epstein after the initial conviction is concerning. The public deserves a clear and credible explanation of his interactions with Epstein over the years.
While Clinton claims he ‘did nothing wrong,’ the public deserves a more thorough explanation of his ties to Epstein. The closed-door nature of the deposition raises questions about transparency. I hope the investigation provides a clear, credible account of their interactions.
It’s concerning to hear about Clinton’s continued association with Epstein after the initial conviction. I hope the investigation examines this relationship in depth and provides a comprehensive, fact-based account to the public.