Former President Bill Clinton underwent a six-hour closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York, on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, denying allegations he 'likes them young,' insisting he saw no abuse, and offering an unprompted defense of President Donald Trump. The compelled testimony, following subpoena battles and Hillary Clinton's prior session, highlighted scrutiny of Epstein's powerful associates amid new details on flights and post-conviction contacts.
Former President Bill Clinton faced over six hours of questioning from House Oversight Committee members in Chappaqua, New York, regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. The session, the first compelled congressional testimony from a former president, followed Hillary Clinton's deposition the previous day and months of legal battles after the Clintons resisted subpoenas, complying only after contempt proceedings.
In an opening statement shared on social media, Clinton stated, "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong," emphasizing he ceased associating with Epstein by the 2008 guilty plea and witnessed no abuse, though recalling specifics from decades ago was difficult. Evidence included Epstein's 17 White House visits during Clinton's presidency, 27 flights Clinton took on Epstein's plane, and photos from Department of Justice files showing Clinton with Ghislaine Maxwell—convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking—and others.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) questioned Clinton about a witness's testimony that Epstein said Clinton 'likes them young,' referring to girls. Clinton denied it, stating, 'That's not true,' and clarifying he has 'no interest in underage girls.' When Mace noted 'young,' not 'underage,' he reiterated, 'That's still not true,' and when asked if an intern is young, replied, 'Yes—at my age, anybody younger than I am is young,' alluding to his 1998 affair with 22-year-old Monica Lewinsky. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chair, probed post-conviction ties, while others like Reps. John McGuire, Glenn Grothman (R-WI), and Nick Langworthy described Clinton as 'charming' and 'candid.' Grothman asked about flight companions; Clinton mentioned JB Pritzker (now Illinois governor), though spokesmen clarified Pritzker joined Clinton Foundation trips in 2008 and 2013 without Epstein or Maxwell.
During Rep. Robert Garcia's (D-CA) questioning, Clinton volunteered that he and Trump discussed Epstein on Trump's golf course in 2002 or 2003, saying Trump 'never said anything to make me think he was involved' and 'I have no information that [Trump] did anything wrong.' Trump responded, 'I like Bill Clinton, and I don't like seeing him deposed.' Democrats, including Garcia and Rep. Ro Khanna, called for Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—who had post-2005 Epstein ties including a 2012 island visit—to testify, citing precedent.
No wrongdoing was accused against Clinton, with focus shifting to other associates. The committee plans to release transcripts and video.
