Full Breakdown
Bill Clinton Testifies Before Congress on Jeffrey Epstein Ties
2/28/2026, 11:46:33 AM
Bill Clinton's Deposition: Key Details
Former President Bill Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee on February 27, 2026, regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This marked the first time a former president has been compelled to testify under subpoena before Congress. Clinton, who described his relationship with Epstein as a "brief acquaintance," denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, stating, “I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing.” His testimony followed that of his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who also denied any knowledge of Epstein's actions.
During the six-hour deposition in Chappaqua, New York, Clinton was cooperative, answering questions from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. He emphasized that he would have reported Epstein had he known about his crimes, asserting, “Not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing—I would have turned him in myself.” Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein's plane multiple times for Clinton Foundation-related humanitarian work but denied visiting Epstein's private island.
Context of the Investigation
The inquiry into Epstein's connections has intensified following the release of documents by the Justice Department, which included photographs of Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate. Clinton's name also appeared in Epstein's flight logs. The committee's Republican chairman, James Comer, stated that the purpose of the investigation is to understand the extent of Epstein's connections with influential figures, including Clinton, who flew on Epstein's plane at least 27 times.
Democrats on the committee have argued that the investigation is politically motivated, aimed at deflecting attention from President Donald Trump's ties to Epstein. They have called for Trump to testify under oath, with Rep. Robert Garcia stating, “If Oversight Republicans were serious about the Epstein investigation, they would be focusing on the fact the Department of Justice has been exposed for concealing Epstein documents that have to do with President Trump being accused of sexual abuse.”
Official Statements and Responses
Clinton's spokesperson reiterated that he cut ties with Epstein before the financier's 2008 conviction. Clinton expressed frustration over the closed-door nature of the deposition, suggesting that it served partisan interests rather than the pursuit of justice for Epstein's victims. He stated, “Who benefits from this arrangement? It’s not Epstein’s victims, who deserve justice. Not the public, who deserve the truth.”
Hillary Clinton, after her own deposition, criticized the committee's questioning as "repetitive" and "unproductive," emphasizing that the focus should be on Trump. She stated, “If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes, it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.”
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the investigation, including Democratic lawmakers, have accused the Republican-led committee of using the Clintons as scapegoats to distract from Trump's alleged connections to Epstein. They argue that the inquiry lacks substantive evidence against the Clintons and is primarily a political maneuver. Rep. Garcia highlighted the need for accountability from Trump, stating, “It’s time to bring in President Trump for testimony under oath.”
What's Next
The committee plans to release transcripts and video recordings of both depositions, which could further influence public perception of the Clintons' ties to Epstein. As the investigation continues, calls for Trump to testify are likely to intensify, potentially setting a precedent for accountability among high-profile figures connected to Epstein.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing,” — Bill Clinton
- “Not only would I have not flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing — I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals.” — Bill Clinton
- “if this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes…it would ask (Trump) directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.” — Hillary Clinton
This ongoing inquiry into Epstein's connections with powerful individuals, including the Clintons and Trump, continues to raise questions about accountability and the implications of their relationships with a convicted sex offender.
