Bill Clinton responded to renewed attention over a decades-old image included in the latest Epstein document release. The former president addressed questions about the viral hot tub photo during a recent congressional deposition.
Bill Clinton talks about viral bath tub photo
According to PEOPLE, Bill Clinton addressed a viral image from the latest release of the Epstein files during a Feb. 27 deposition before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, N.Y. The photo showed him in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. “I don’t think I ever knew the photo was taken,” Clinton said during the four-and-a-half-hour deposition, adding he was “almost sure” it was taken at a hotel in Brunei during the final leg of an Asian tour for his AIDS initiative.
Clinton said he had met Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, while in office and that Bolkiah wanted to assist with the AIDS initiative during the visit. He said the Sultan suggested he stay at a specific hotel and use the pool. “So I did,” Clinton said. “And then I got out and went to bed exhausted.”
The Department of Justice released another image showing Clinton swimming with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Clinton told lawmakers he swam briefly before bed, did not know who was photographed with him, and recalled a Secret Service agent was present. He said the woman in the hot tub photo was not younger than 18. He also said he did not have sexual relations with her.
Officials released the photos under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates public access to investigation materials. The documents include images of Clinton with Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson, and Jagger and Ross have not been accused of wrongdoing. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department needs more time to complete redactions before a full release.
