Fact Check: Did Jeffrey Epstein create and conceive the Clinton Global Initiative?

WASHINGTON, DC: During her Thursday, February 26, closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Former First Lady Hillary Clinton denied ever meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. 

The committee chair, James Comer, said that the interview was 'productive' and added that on some questions involving the Clinton Global Initiative, Hillary told lawmakers, "You have to ask my husband."

Following this, a rumor circulated across social media claiming that Jeffrey Epstein created and conceived the Clinton Global Initiative. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Jeffrey Epstein created and conceived the Clinton Global Initiative

On Thursday, an X user shared a screenshot of an alleged email sent to lawyer Alan Dershowitz by Fox News reporter Malia Zimmerman, seeking clarification on a 2007 letter.

Zimmerman wrote in the email, "Hi Alan, I was reading through the files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, including the original criminal case where you defended Mr. Epstein, and saw a letter both you and Gerald Lefcourt co-authored on his behalf dated July 6, 2007."

The reporter added that the letter read, "Mr. Epstein was part of the original group that conceived the Clinton Global Initiative, which is described as a project 'bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.' Focuses of this initiative include poverty, climate change, global health, and religious and ethnic conflicts."

"I just wanted to clarify if Mr. Epstein was on the board of directors or listed as a founder anywhere or on any paperwork associated with the foundation, and if so, in what capacity. Also wanted to clarify what you specifically mean by being part of the original group," the reporter added in the email.

The journalist also attached a screenshot of the letter to the email.

The X user captioned the post, "Despite @HillaryClinton insisting she never met Epstein, Alan Dershowitz says Epstein is the one who conceived & structured the Clinton Global Initiative."

Fact Check: False, no credible evidence to back the claim

The claims made in the online post are not true, as there is no credible evidence to prove that Jeffrey Epstein created and conceived the Clinton Global Initiative.

The initiative was founded and launched by former President Bill Clinton in 2005 as an initiative of the Clinton Foundation. Genuine sources and earlier reports credit Clinton as the founder. Doug Band, a longtime aide and counselor to the former President, is widely described as the key originator or architect of the idea. 

Moreover, Clinton has often credited Band with conceiving the concept of convening leaders to make actionable commitments on global issues.

Though Epstein had connections to the Clintons and the broader Clinton Foundation ecosystem, he was only an early supporter, donor, or facilitator in the philanthropic network around the Clintons, and not as a creator or primary conceiver.