CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded two days of historic, closed-door depositions this week, facing intense questioning from the House Oversight Committee regarding their past connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The testimony, which took place on February 26 and 27, marks the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify before a congressional panel. The proceedings follow months of legal brinkmanship and a bipartisan push for transparency after the 2025 release of millions of federal documents—the so-called “Epstein Files”—which reignited scrutiny into the late offender’s elite social circle.
Key Takeaways from the Testimony
- Bill Clinton’s Defense: In an opening statement, the former president maintained he “saw nothing and did nothing wrong,” asserting his acquaintance with Epstein ended years before the 2008 sex-crimes conviction.
- Hillary Clinton’s Denial: The former Secretary of State told reporters she had “no information” on Epstein’s crimes and did not recall ever meeting him, despite Republican queries about his 17 recorded visits to the White House during the 1990s.
- Partisan Friction: Democrats labeled the hearings “political theater” aimed at distracting from Donald Trump’s own extensive ties to Epstein, while Republicans cited a need to investigate how Epstein’s wealth influenced the Clinton Foundation.
- Procedural Drama: A leaked photo from inside the room, reportedly posted by Rep. Lauren Boebert, briefly halted Hillary Clinton’s testimony on Thursday, highlighting the high-stakes environment of the Chappaqua proceedings.
“I Would Have Turned Him in Myself”
During his six-hour deposition on Friday, Bill Clinton addressed the “Lolita Express” private jet and photographs showing him with Epstein associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell. He insisted his travel was strictly for humanitarian work related to his foundation.
“As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, 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 stated in his prepared remarks.
However, GOP lawmakers, including Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), remained skeptical, questioning why the association continued given the red flags surrounding Epstein’s lifestyle. “We learned a lot,” Comer told reporters, noting that Hillary Clinton deferred to her husband on more than a dozen specific questions.
Public and Social Media Fallout
The testimony has triggered a firestorm on social media, reflecting a deep national divide. While some supporters praised Hillary Clinton for “standing her ground” against what they termed a “kangaroo court,” critics accused the couple of “performative transparency.”
The debate has also pivoted toward President Donald Trump. Despite Trump’s own documented history with Epstein, he expressed rare sympathy for the Clintons this week, stating it “bothers” him that they are being targeted—a move some analysts view as an attempt to discourage a precedent that could eventually see him called to the witness stand.
What’s Next: Transcripts and Transparency
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the House Oversight Committee is expected to release the video and full transcripts of the depositions once they have been reviewed by the Clintons’ legal teams.
Lawmakers like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are already looking ahead, suggesting that the “moral reckoning” for the “Epstein class” is only beginning. As more documents are unsealed, the pressure may shift toward other high-profile figures named in the millions of pages still under review by federal investigators.
