Bill Clinton explains viral hot tub photo from Epstein files during deposition

CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK: Bill Clinton addressed one of the most widely circulated images from the recently released Epstein files during his House Oversight Committee deposition on Friday, February 27, in Chappaqua, New York.

The former president, 79, was questioned about a photo showing him in a hot tub with a woman whose face had been redacted. Clinton said he was unaware the image had been taken and offered context about the setting. The deposition lasted four-and-a-half hours and focused on materials released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Bill Clinton says he didn't know hot tub photo was taken

Clinton said, "I don't think I ever knew the photo was taken," adding that he was "almost sure" the image was captured at a hotel in Brunei during the final leg of an Asian tour tied to his AIDS initiative.

He said he had previously met Hassanal Bolkiah during his presidency and that the Brunei leader offered assistance for the AIDS work when he learned of the visit. According to Clinton, the Sultan suggested he stay at a particular hotel and use the pool facilities.

"So I did," Clinton said. "And then I got out and went to bed exhausted."

Clinton told lawmakers he did not know the identity of the woman in the photograph but said a Secret Service agent was present in the room.

Pool photo with Jeffrey Epstein

Another image released by the Department of Justice seemed to show Clinton in a pool with Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Clinton said he spent a short time swimming before going to bed and maintained that he had cut ties with Epstein before the financier’s crimes became publicly known.

The materials were released in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the Department of Justice to make files tied to Epstein’s investigation public and searchable.

Past statement from Bill Clinton's aide

A representative for Clinton previously directed media outlets to a statement posted on X by his deputy chief of staff, Angel Urena.

"The White House hasn't been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton. This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they'll try and hide forever," the statement read.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on December 19 that additional materials would be released as the Department of Justice completes redactions across hundreds of thousands of pages related to the investigation.