Trump blasts Hillary Clinton over claim Epstein scrutiny is ‘diversion’ from him
Reporter: “Hillary Clinton said in an interview today that she and her husband are getting pulled into the Epstein matter to divert attention from you and that your adminstration has something to hide.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) February 17, 2026
President Trump: “I have NOTHING to hide. I have been exonerated. I have… pic.twitter.com/ZizX9lkZYa
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, February 16, said he has “nothing to hide” regarding convicted s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein and claimed he had been “totally exonerated,” after Hillary Clinton suggested he was attempting to divert attention from himself by drawing her and former President Bill Clinton into the controversy.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed Clinton’s remarks and accused her of suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome,” referencing her comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month.
The exchange reignited a long-running political feud as both sides trade accusations over responsibility, credibility, and transparency in connection with the Epstein case.
Trump says he was 'totally exonerated' in Epstein matter
Asked about Clinton’s claim that she and her husband were being “pulled into the Epstein matter to divert attention” from his administration, Trump responded bluntly.
“I have nothing to hide. I’ve been exonerated. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” Trump said.
“They went in hoping that they’d find it and found just the opposite. I’ve been totally exonerated,” he added, claiming past investigations failed to uncover any wrongdoing on his part.
Trump also suggested that Epstein had opposed his political rise. “In fact, Jeffrey Epstein was fighting that I don’t get elected with some author, a sleazebag, by the way,” he said, reiterating, “I’ve been totally exonerated.”
Turning his focus back to Clinton, Trump said, “No, no, they’re getting pulled in and that’s their problem. I don’t know. They’re going to have to see what happens. But I watched her in Munich and she seriously has Trump derangement syndrome.”
When asked whether Clinton should publicly testify, Trump repeated that others, not him, were now under scrutiny. “They’ve been pulled in. Clinton and many other Democrats have been pulled in,” he said.
Clinton accuses Trump of diversion and ‘cover-up’
Clinton made her remarks during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, where she alleged that Trump was using the Epstein controversy to redirect attention away from himself.
She also accused the Trump administration of a “cover-up” in its handling of files related to Epstein and called for greater transparency, saying, “Get the files out.”
Hillary Clinton says she and Bill are being asked to testify in the Epstein case to divert attention from President Trump.
— Mina (@Mina696645851) February 17, 2026
She has also accused the Trump administration of a “cover-up” in its handling of files related to the late sex offender #JeffreyEpstein.
“Get the files out" pic.twitter.com/IAWSWhACfv
Beyond the Epstein issue, Clinton launched a broader attack on Trump’s leadership, accusing him of undermining Western alliances and democratic norms.
She said Trump had “betrayed the West, he’s betrayed human values, he’s betrayed the NATO charter, the Atlantic Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Munich exchange highlights sharp foreign policy divide
During the same panel, Clinton asserted that Trump was “modeling himself after” Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting he favored unaccountable power structures over democratic governance.
Her comments drew a pointed response from Czech Deputy Prime Minister Petr Macinka, who remarked, “I think you really don’t like him.”
Panelist in Munich mocks Hillary Clinton after she rages about Donald Trump:
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) February 14, 2026
"I think you really don't like him."
*Hillary rages again* pic.twitter.com/TshsaMI0Wg
Clinton replied, “That is absolutely true. Not only do I not like him, I don’t like him because of what he’s doing to the United States and the world.”
The exchange underscored the deep ideological rift between Trump and his critics, particularly over US foreign policy, relations with Europe, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.