Bill Clinton says Larry Summers introduced him to Epstein: 'I thought he was an interesting man'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Bill Clinton shared new details about how he first met disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He described what he claimed was an origin story that had not been fully included in the public record.

This account was given during closed-door testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as part of its investigation into high-profile connections to Epstein.

Larry Summers introduced Bill Clinton to Epstein

According to Bill Clinton’s deposition, the introduction happened around 2001 or 2002 when former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers reached out to him.

At the time, Summers was serving as president of Harvard University.

Clinton described Epstein as an “information hungry person” who had donated millions to support brain research at the university. “He said, ‘He’s got this massive airplane, and he said he would take you, your staff, your Secret Service detail, anybody else you wanted to bring on the trips that he knew I was planning” for his charitable work, Clinton said of the call from Summers, who was then president of Harvard University.

Clinton said he accepted the offer and began traveling with Epstein around 2002 for work related to the Clinton Global Initiative. He added that he took “all or part of four or five trips to Asia and Africa and one to North, Northern Europe on Mr Epstein’s airplane.”

He also used the jet to return from Florida to New York, he said. “I thought Mr Epstein was an interesting man, but he, I didn’t think he was really interested in what I was doing,” Clinton said.

“Over the years with these donors, [I’ve] tried not to overstay my welcome.”

Clinton described his relationship with Epstein as “cordial” after leaving the White House. “During the time I was... it was cordial,” the former president said.

Asked whether he ever considered Epstein a friend, Clinton responded, “We were friendly, but I didn't know him well enough to be saying we were friends.” He added that they communicated infrequently, saying, “Usually only on the trips. I did go to his house once, as you know.”

Bill Clinton says Epstein ties ended in 2003

Bill Clinton repeated in his testimony that his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein ended in 2003, years before Epstein’s later arrest and conviction on federal trafficking charges.

He said that after meeting donors more aligned with his philanthropic goals, he no longer needed Epstein’s support. "I thought Mr Epstein was an interesting man, but I didn't think he was really interested in what I was doing," Clinton testified.

The deposition is part of a broader congressional review of Epstein’s network and how well-known public figures interacted with him before his criminal conduct was widely exposed.

Clinton has previously admitted to flying on Epstein’s jet but has consistently claimed he did not know about Epstein’s illegal activities during their association.

The newly released testimony provides additional details about how their relationship began and eventually ended, as lawmakers continue examining the full scope of Epstein’s connections. Larry Summers has since resigned from Harvard following revelations about his ties to Epstein.