Bill Clinton Addresses Trump In Epstein Deposition, Undercutting Democrat Push
Former President Bill Clinton discussed Donald Trump during his closed-door deposition Friday in the Jeffrey Epstein probe, according to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer.
Comer told reporters that when Democrats asked Clinton whether Trump should also be called to testify, Clinton responded that it was up to the committee to decide. Comer added that Clinton said Trump had “never said anything to me to make it seem like he was involved” with Epstein.
The comment cuts against efforts by some Democrats to shift attention toward Trump’s past social interactions with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s crimes.
Earlier Friday, Trump told reporters he did not believe Clinton should have been deposed, saying, “I don’t like seeing him deposed. I like him.” Trump has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially years ago but has said he cut ties long before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
Clinton’s deposition followed more than six hours of testimony from Hillary Clinton the day before. Comer said Republicans were frustrated that she repeatedly responded to certain questions by saying, “You’ll have to ask my husband.”
In his opening statement Friday, Bill Clinton said he “saw nothing” and “did nothing wrong,” while warning lawmakers they would likely hear him say “I don’t recall” multiple times. He said he would not speculate or guess about events from decades ago.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna described Clinton as “cooperative and answering questions,” adding she had no reason to believe he was withholding information. However, other Republicans said they planned to press him on his documented trips aboard Epstein’s private plane and photos showing him with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Democrats, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, said they want the full transcript released and continued to call for Trump to testify as well. Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton has been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein, and both have denied visiting Epstein’s private island.