James Comer says Hillary Clinton showed 'no curiosity' about who was with Bill in hot tub photo

WASHINGTON, DC: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer ripped Hillary Clinton following her closed-door deposition in the ongoing congressional probe into Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking on Fox News' 'Hannity' shortly after the session, Comer described the former secretary of state's reaction to a photograph of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, in a hot tub as rather indifferent.

The image was part of the recently unsealed Epstein files and has fueled speculation about the Clintons' ties to the late financier, though its origins trace back to a 2002 event unrelated to Epstein.

The deposition was held behind closed doors at the Capitol and marked a rare instance of the Clintons being compelled to testify under threat of contempt proceedings.

Republicans on the committee, led by Comer, have pushed for answers on the couple's associations with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. They have cited flight logs showing Bill aboard Epstein's private jet multiple times and communications referencing Hillary. 

James Comer's post-deposition remarks

During his appearance on 'Hannity', Comer recounted the moment investigators presented Hillary with the hot tub photograph.

"We showed her that picture with Bill Clinton in the hot tub, and she acted like she had no curiosity, was not concerned who was in the hot tub with him," Comer said. "There were a lot of things she said I think most Americans will find hard to believe when they watch the video." 

The Kentucky Republican noted that the full video of the deposition would be released, allowing the public to judge Hillary's responses for themselves.

Comer defended the closed-door format, noting it follows standard practice for witness interviews before potential public hearings. "The American people have a lot of questions. To my knowledge, the Clintons haven't answered very many, if any, questions about their knowledge or involvement with Epstein and Maxwell," he told reporters ahead of the session. 

He pointed out there was bipartisan support for subpoenaing the Clintons, pointing out that even some Democrats backed the move to hold them in contempt if they refused to appear.

The probe stems from Epstein's 2019 arrest and subsequent death in custody. Documents unsealed in recent months include emails, flight records, and photographs that name dozens of prominent individuals, including the Clintons. 

Bill has acknowledged flying on Epstein's plane for humanitarian trips but denied visiting Epstein's private island or knowing about his crimes. Hillary has maintained she never met Epstein and has no direct knowledge of his activities.

The bombshell hot tub photo of Bill Clinton

The photograph in question was released by the Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files dump. It shows the former presdient in a hot tub with at least one woman whose face has been redacted. 

Critics of Comer have noted that the image was taken in May 2002 at a Singapore hotel during Clinton's paid speaking engagement at the National Achievers Congress, far removed from Epstein's orbit. Regardless, Republicans have used it to press for details on Clinton's post-presidency associations.

The photo of Bill Clinton in a hot tub was released by the DOJ as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files (US Department of Justice)

In emails from Maxwell, references to travels with Bill (including a 2006 trip to a south Indian village) have raised questions about the depth of their connections. One survivor account in the files describes Epstein's predatory behavior dating back to 1984.

Democrats on the Oversight Committee blasted the proceedings as partisan theater. After Rep Lauren Boebert leaked a photo from inside Hillary's deposition, committee members called it a "clown show."

"This isn’t a partisan witch hunt. This was a bipartisan motion, supported by Democrats, to bring the Clintons in," Comer countered, noting that the panel has interviewed Republicans like former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and former Attorney General Bill Barr in a similar fashion.

Clintons' defiance

The Clintons initially resisted the subpoenas, submitting a joint letter to Comer refusing to testify and offering written declarations instead. "Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences," they wrote. "For us, now is that time." 

They accused the committee of targeting them over others who "know the least" about Epstein's crimes and failing to pressure the Justice Department for more oversight.

In the letter, the couple said they had "no personal knowledge" of Epstein or Maxwell's crimes. They pushed for public hearings, arguing that closed doors allow Republicans to "control the narrative."

Hillary testified on Thursday that she had "no information about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes." Bill is set to testify on Friday. The former president has dismissed the inquiry as a "partisan political spectacle."