Bill Clinton says he does not recall interactions with Epstein but acknowledges flying on his plane

CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK: Videos of depositions featuring former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were released on Monday, March 2, by a House committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein. The recordings show both distancing themselves from the disgraced financier and denying clear recollections of certain interactions.

The testimony, recorded over two days the previous week, captures hours of questioning under oath as lawmakers seek accountability from individuals who may have been aware of or ignored Epstein’s crimes. Neither Bill nor Hillary has been charged with any wrongdoing. 

Bill Clinton says he does not recall shaking hands with Jeffrey Epstein

During his deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Bill Clinton told lawmakers that neither he nor Hillary Clinton remembered shaking hands with Jeffrey Epstein during his visits to the White House, despite photographs documenting such encounters.

"Neither she [Hillary] nor I remembered shaking his hand all those years ago. So I don't think that was right. On the other hand, I do think you should be talking to me. I think you should have called me," the former president said.

He added, "I did take those plane trips with them. And you have a right to ask those questions," acknowledging flying on Epstein’s private plane for Clinton Foundation travel in the early 2000s, before the financier faced criminal charges.

He further stated, "So I'm glad to be here. And. I understand what the oath is. I have to be honest with you. You know, I'll be 80 years old if I live to my next birthday. I don't remember everything that happened 24 years ago, but I do remember some things. And I will tell you what I remember as best I can."

"We, each of us, owe the victims nothing less than the truth and accuracy. We owe that to the American people. And I actually hope that you will be able to come up with some suggestions that will reduce human trafficking, and especially focus on underage girls. I hope you'll be able to do that, " Bill further added. 

Meanwhile, Hillary mentioned she does not remember ever meeting Epstein, but acknowledged that Ghislaine Maxwell was an acquaintance. 

Bill Clinton's statement following deposition

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) following his testimony, Bill Clinton said, "Though my brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light, and though I never witnessed during our limited interactions, any indication with what was truly going on, I offered the little I do know, in the hopes that it would help prevent anything like this from ever happening again."

"When the video of my testimony today is released, I hope it will motivate everyone to go in front of Congress to say what they know. I hope it will motivate the Justice Department to finally release all the files and to ensure that this never happens again," he stressed. 

Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump should 'absolutely' testify in Jeffrey Epstein probe

Hillary Clinton took a firmer stance when asked whether President Donald Trump should testify.

“Absolutely,” she said. “He would be on my witness list.”

During her deposition, Hillary engaged in a tense exchange with Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC) over photographs of Bill with other women that were allegedly taken during trips linked to Epstein. One image showed him seated and clothed while receiving a back massage.

“When you saw photos of your husband in a hot tub, laying on a beach and getting massaged by other women, and you knew that Jeffrey Epstein was involved in some of these trips and these things, did it concern you at all?” Mace asked.

“I’m here not to offer my opinions. I’m here to answer specific questions, to the best of my ability,” Hillary replied.

Asked what went through her mind upon seeing the images, she said, “I am not going to speculate.”

“You didn’t have any feelings about young women massaging your husband?” Mace continued.

“I am not going to offer opinions or speculation about anything that I have no context for and was not there,” Clinton shot back.