Bill and Hillary Clinton Testimonies on Jeffrey Epstein Released by House Panel
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released video footage on Monday of its questioning of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of its investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Both Clintons testified under oath, with their depositions marking a significant moment in the congressional probe into Epstein's network and associations.
Clintons Deny Knowledge of Epstein's Crimes
In their testimonies, both Bill and Hillary Clinton firmly denied any awareness of Epstein's criminal activities during their interactions with him. The former president stated he had no knowledge of abuse by Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, emphasizing he never witnessed any sexual misconduct or underage girls during his travels.
"I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong," Bill Clinton told the committee, according to released transcripts. "I didn't think he was really interested in what I was doing," he added regarding his eventual decision to end contact with Epstein around 2003.
Larry Summers' Role in Introduction
Bill Clinton revealed that former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who was then president of Harvard University, introduced him to Epstein after Clinton left the White House. According to Clinton's testimony, Summers described Epstein as "an information-hungry person" interested in economics and politics who possessed "a massive airplane" that could be useful for international humanitarian trips.
The former president explained that Summers suggested Epstein's plane would accommodate Clinton's staff and Secret Service detail, making it practical for international travel related to Clinton's post-presidential humanitarian work.
Details of Clinton's Epstein Association
During questioning, Bill Clinton provided specific details about his interactions with Epstein:
- He took multiple international flights on Epstein's private plane during 2002 and 2003
- He understood he would spend at least one hour per flight discussing economics or politics with Epstein
- Initially, Epstein seemed genuinely interested in information, but over time appeared to be "just checking a box" with their conversations
- He ended his relationship with Epstein after his last flight in approximately 2003
Summers' Recent Revelations and Response
The release of the Clinton testimonies comes amid increased scrutiny of Summers' own connections to Epstein. Last month, Summers announced his retirement from his Harvard professorship following revelations that his associations with Epstein were deeper than previously known.
After lawmakers made public correspondence between Summers and Epstein late last year, the former Harvard president stated he was "deeply ashamed" of his actions and took responsibility for his "misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein." A spokesman for Summers did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the Clinton testimonies.
Political Context and Significance
The depositions represent the first time a former U.S. president has been forced to testify before Congress. Bill Clinton testified on Friday, February 27, 2026, while Hillary Clinton testified the previous day, Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The release occurs amid ongoing political tensions, with former President Donald Trump and his allies attempting to highlight Epstein's connections to Democrats, including the Clintons. This comes as public attention also focuses on Epstein's past associations with Trump and his associates, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former senior adviser Steve Bannon.
The House Committee's investigation continues to examine the extent of Epstein's network and the knowledge various prominent figures had about his criminal activities before his 2019 death while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
