Former President Bill Clinton denied having sexual contact with an unidentified woman seen with him in a hot tub photo released as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files, insisting he “did nothing wrong.”
During a Friday deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Clinton faced detailed questioning about the provocative image showing him nearly nude and reclining in a hot tub beside the unknown woman.
According to a source familiar with the testimony, Clinton told lawmakers under oath that he did not know the woman and had no sexual relationship with her.
The images were among numerous issues raised during the roughly six-hour session at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Lawmakers also questioned the former president about his ties to Epstein, his travel on Epstein’s aircraft, and conversations he had with Donald Trump regarding Epstein.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said Clinton testified that Trump never made comments suggesting he was close to Epstein.
“I know there’s a lot of curiosity about President Trump. I thought that was notable,” Comer told reporters in New York.
However, Democrats on the panel disputed Comer’s interpretation.
Rep. Max Frost (D) wrote on social media that Clinton described how Trump told him he had fallen out with Epstein over a land dispute.
During his deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Friday, Clinton was pressed on the racy photo where he was snapped reclining nearly naked in a hot tub with an unidentified woman at his waist.
The photographs were among numerous issues Bill Clinton was questioned about during an approximately six-hour deposition with lawmakers.
In his closed-door testimony, Clinton argued that his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein ended before the late financier was charged with sex crimes, reiterating that he had done nothing improper.
The images drew particularly strong interest from Republican members of Congress.
Additional controversial photos allegedly show Clinton swimming in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and another woman whose face was obscured. In a separate image, Clinton appears seated with a woman on his lap, her identity also concealed. The location of the photos remains unclear.
In his opening statement, Clinton firmly asserted that the photos do not alter his position that he “did nothing wrong.”
“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” the statement said. “Even in hindsight, I saw nothing that raised concerns.”
Clinton assured during his testimony that he ended his relationship with Epstein before the late financier was convicted.
Republican lawmakers said the photos were a central focus during the deposition of Bill Clinton.
Clinton testified that he “never witnessed” any crimes and insisted he would never have flown on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane if he had suspected wrongdoing, saying he would have reported him himself.
Hillary Clinton was also questioned about the images during her Thursday deposition. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) claimed the former secretary of state became “unhinged” when pressed about the photos.
Clinton spokesperson Nick Merrill defended Hillary Clinton on social media, saying Mace “made it up.”
James Comer pledged that the American public would soon see the truth, vowing to release video of both depositions as quickly as possible.
After Bill Clinton’s testimony concluded, Republicans on the panel praised him for answering every question and for being forthcoming.
“He responded to every single question — even when his attorneys advised him to stop, he kept going,” Mace said, thanking him for his openness.
The tone differed sharply from Hillary Clinton’s session, which was briefly paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) sent a photo of Clinton testifying to conservative influencer Benny Johnson for online posting, sparking backlash from Democrats and Clinton allies.
Following her deposition, Hillary Clinton criticized Republicans to waiting reporters, accusing them of engaging in “partisan political theater.” By contrast, Bill Clinton made no public remarks and simply departed in his SUV after finishing.
When asked why Bill Clinton’s deposition went more smoothly than his wife’s, Comer laughed.
“Everyone knows President Clinton — he has Southern charm and strong people skills,” he said.