Bill Clinton Denies Knowing Woman in Hot Tub Photo During Closed-Door Epstein Deposition
During his testimony before the committee, Mr. Clinton, as usual, did not let the facts, the clear evidence, or the photographs interfere with his claim of innocence, insisting that he “did nothing wrong.” He told the House Oversight Committee that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said he would not have associated with him had he known of any wrongdoing. The members of the House Oversight Committee maintained a professional façade and did not visibly laugh at his statements.
Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers in a closed-door deposition that he did not recognize the woman seen with him in a widely circulated hot tub photograph included in recently released Jeffrey Epstein investigation files.
During questioning before the House Oversight Committee, Clinton said he did not know the identity of the woman, whose name was redacted in the documents, and stated that he did not have sexual relations with her.
According to individuals familiar with the session, he suggested the image appeared to have been taken at a public hotel pool and said no one challenged that explanation during the exchange.
Clinton’s testimony forms part of the committee’s bipartisan investigation into Epstein, the late financier who pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor and later died while in federal custody.
In prepared opening remarks, Clinton said he had “no idea” about the crimes Epstein was committing and rejected interpretations of photographs taken more than two decades ago.
“I know what I saw and more importantly, what I didn’t see.
I know what I did and more importantly, what I didn’t do.
I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton told lawmakers.
He cautioned that he would frequently respond that he did not recall certain events, saying the interactions occurred many years ago and that he would not speculate.
Clinton added that he would not have flown on Epstein’s plane had he known of any illicit activity and said that, with hindsight, he saw nothing at the time that raised concerns.
By the time Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea became public, Clinton said he had long ceased associating with him.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer indicated that the panel had numerous questions regarding Clinton’s relationship with Epstein and with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a federal prison sentence in Texas following her conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Comer noted that recently released documents show Epstein visited the White House multiple times during Clinton’s presidency and that Clinton flew on Epstein’s aircraft on numerous occasions.
Clinton defended his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who testified before the committee a day earlier.
He said she had no involvement with Epstein, had no memory of meeting him, and had not traveled with him or visited his properties.
Comer said that during her deposition she deferred several questions about nonprofit activities to her husband.
President Donald Trump was asked about Clinton’s testimony and said he did not like seeing him deposed.
Neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton has been charged with any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s crimes.
The deposition was conducted under oath, transcribed, and recorded, with video expected to be released in the coming days.