Bill Clinton says Trump told him in early 2000s he broke ties with Epstein over land deal

Bill Clinton testified Trump cited a land deal dispute as the reason for ending his friendship with Epstein in the early 2000s
PUBLISHED FEB 28, 2026
Former President Bill Clinton testified for six hours before the House Oversight Committee on February 27 (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Former President Bill Clinton testified for six hours before the House Oversight Committee on February 27 (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

CHAPPAQUA, NEW YORK: Former President Bill Clinton testified in Jeffrey Epstein’s deposition on Friday, February 27. During his testimony, Clinton said that in the early 2000s, President Donald Trump told him he had a falling out with Epstein over a land deal. Clinton did not specify which land deal they were referring to.

 The closed-door deposition, expected to continue this afternoon, came a day after the committee interviewed Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Bill stated Trump never said anything to him that suggested involvement with Epstein’s activities. Clinton’s deposition lasted six hours, with lawmakers vowing to “bring more people in” as the investigation continues.

Bill Clinton talks about Trump’s fallout with Epstein

Clinton appeared at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, spending hours behind closed doors answering questions under oath from House Oversight Committee lawmakers. The deposition came a day after Hillary Clinton appeared.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at an event celebrating the Community Development Financial Institutions FUND (CDFI) at the U.S. Treasury Department on November 21, 2024 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Treasury Department held the event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of CDFI. The CDFI was established during Clinton’s presidency to initiate assistance for financial institutions that supported underserved customers and communities. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Bill Clinton spoke at a CDFI anniversary event at the US Treasury Department on November 21, 2024 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

During the session, Clinton was asked several questions, shown multiple photos, and answered most of them, according to CNN. One response drew particular attention: he said Trump once told him at a golf tournament (specific event not identified) that he had a falling out with Epstein over a land deal, according to Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat on the committee, as reported by BBC News. "This directly refutes Trump’s claims about why he fell out with Epstein,” Frost said. Clinton also recounted that Trump said he was no longer friends with Epstein.

Bill Clinton cooperates fully and answers lengthy questions

Clinton has been cooperating with the House Oversight Committee, providing detailed answers, lawmakers from both parties said. Comer told reporters that Clinton testified, “President Trump has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved” with Epstein’s activities. Democrats on the committee disagreed.

Clinton was questioned about a photograph from the Epstein files showing him in a hot tub with a redacted individual. He stated he did not know the woman and denied any intimate activity with her, according to BBC. 

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 24: House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) speaks to the media on his Committee's investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive state, in the Rayburn House Office Building on July 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Committee interviewed White House chief of staff under President Biden Ron Klain on Biden's cognitive state and his use of the autopen. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer addressed reporters on the committee’s ongoing investigations on July 24, 2025 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Comer said the panel asked both Hillary and Bill Clinton for guidance on next steps. “We asked both Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton where we should go from here as a committee because we’re sincere about trying to get the truth for the American people and hold some bad actors accountable,” he said.

Comer confirmed two more depositions are scheduled. “We will have further announcements on where we’re going with the investigation, but we have two more depositions already booked: one with Jeffrey Epstein’s accountant and one with his lawyer,” Comer said.

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