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Clintons Clash With Lawmakers Over Leaked Deposition Photo In Epstein Testimony Video
Newly released video from the House Oversight Committee shows Hillary Clinton nearly walking out of her closed-door deposition over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein, after learning a photo taken inside the hearing room had been leaked.
“I’m done with this. If you guys are doing that, I am done,” Clinton says in the footage. “You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home.”
The nine-plus hours of video testimony, released Monday, capture separate depositions from Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, both denying prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Neither has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims, though Bill Clinton appears in investigative files and photographs connected to the disgraced financier.
One of the most dramatic moments unfolds when Clinton’s lawyer informs the room that a photograph from inside the deposition has been made public.
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert acknowledges sharing a photo from inside the room but says it was taken before proceedings began. The image later circulates on social media through a conservative influencer.
Clinton bangs her fist on the table.
“It doesn’t matter. We are all abiding by the same rules,” she says.
Her attorney reminds lawmakers that Clinton had requested an open hearing that would have allowed real-time public viewing, but the committee denied that request.
“I am done,” Clinton says at one point, rising from her chair before the hearing pauses. When it resumes, her lawyer rebukes the committee.
“We find it unacceptable. We find it unprofessional and we find it unfair,” the lawyer says, demanding adherence to established rules.
Hours into the session, Boebert introduces “Pizzagate,” the widely debunked conspiracy theory alleging a child abuse ring tied to Clinton allies operating out of a Washington, DC, pizzeria.
After clarifying the line of questioning, Boebert asks whether Clinton has reviewed any Epstein-related files referencing Pizzagate.
“Pizzagate was totally made up. It was an outrageous allegation that ended up hurting a number of people,” Clinton responds. “I can’t believe you’re even referencing it.”
Clinton’s lawyers object to further questions on the topic.
Another Republican lawmaker, Eric Burlison, shifts the tone with what he calls “light-hearted questions,” raising the issue of UFO file disclosures. He references efforts during Bill Clinton’s presidency, including initiatives linked to businessman Laurance Rockefeller, to declassify government documents.
Burlison asks whether Clinton is pleased that UFO files may now be released after Trump directs preparations for disclosure.
“I think whatever can be disclosed should be disclosed,” Clinton replies.
During his deposition, Bill Clinton is asked whether Donald Trump should be compelled to testify.
“That’s for you to decide,” Clinton says. “But he did know him well.”
He recounts a conversation with Trump around 2002 or 2003 at Trump’s golf course during a fundraiser. According to Clinton, Trump says he and Epstein had been friends before a falling out over a real estate deal.
“[Trump] never said anything to me to make me think he was involved in anything improper,” Clinton says, adding that there was no “sexual spin” to the exchange.
Lawmakers also press Clinton about a photo released by the US Justice Department showing him in a hot tub with an unidentified individual whose face is redacted.
“I don’t think I ever knew the photo was taken,” Clinton says, adding he is “almost sure” it was shot in Brunei at the end of a lengthy Asia trip.
He recalls staying at a hotel at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei, whom he says he had come to know during his presidency.
“I want you to stay at this hotel and I hope you will use the pool. So I did. And then I got out, and went to bed, exhausted,” Clinton says with a chuckle.
Asked about the identity of the other person in the image, Clinton twice responds: “I don’t know who that is.”
Pressed on whether any sexual activity occurred that night or with the individual pictured, he firmly answers no.
Other images released by the Justice Department appear to show the same hotel pool area, including photographs of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking connected to Epstein.
In opening remarks to the committee, Bill Clinton states he was only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein and says their relationship ended “years before his crimes came to light.”
“I did not witness Epstein’s crimes,” he says, adding that he hopes his testimony helps “prevent something like this from happening again.”
When asked whether Trump should pardon or grant clemency to Maxwell, Clinton declines to weigh in.
“I don’t think I should comment on that,” he says. “It was terrible what she did and she should be punished. Somebody besides me should make a decision on what it is.”
Justice Department documents do not show direct messages between Clinton and Epstein. However, emails between Maxwell and Clinton aide Doug Band from 2002 to 2004 show a familiar relationship, including exchanges described as flirtatious and filled with innuendo.
The release of the deposition footage adds fresh scrutiny to long-running questions about high-profile figures connected to Epstein, even as both Clintons continue to deny knowledge of his criminal conduct.
