Bill Clinton Examined Epstein Hot Tub Photo During Lengthy Deposition
Former President Bill Clinton spent at least twenty seconds closely examining a photograph of himself in a hot tub from the Jeffrey Epstein files during a heated deposition before the House Oversight Committee. The intimate image, which shows a younger Clinton reclining in a luxury hot tub during a 2002 trip to Asia, was made public for the first time in December as part of the Department of Justice's release of Epstein-related documents.
Clinton's Reaction to the Controversial Image
During the viral moment captured on video, Clinton snatched the photograph from his attorney's hands to examine the now-infamous image. He then let out a large smile before chuckling as his lawyer attempted to conceal a smirk. The printed image showed Clinton lounging in the hot tub with another individual whose face was redacted by a black box placed by the Justice Department.
'I don't know who that is,' Clinton stated when questioned about the redacted person in the image. He insisted that the person was not underage but admitted he does not remember who was sitting beside him in the photograph.
Context of the Hot Tub Photograph
Clinton explained during his deposition that the picture was taken at a hotel in Brunei where the Sultan of the country insisted they stay during their Asian trip. 'This picture was taken in Brunei, we flew one night on the trip to Asia… and Mr. Epstein was there and Ms. Maxwell,' he admitted. Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a twenty-year sentence for sex trafficking related to Epstein's crimes.
The hot tub photograph represents just one of many images in which the former president appears as part of Epstein's estate. Other photographs include images with the disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, including a notable 1993 White House visit.
Clinton's Testimony About Epstein Ties
During the more than six-hour deposition conducted last week, Clinton told the bipartisan panel that he severed ties with Epstein well before his crimes became publicly known. '[If] I had any inkling of what he was doing — I would have turned him in myself,' he insisted to lawmakers.
Clinton further explained that everyone in the pool area during his Asia trip was part of his traveling party, and he recalled there being a Secret Service agent at the other end of the pool. The Department of Justice and FBI stated last year that there is no evidence Epstein trafficked minors to anyone other than himself and indicated no other individuals would face prosecution for these heinous acts.
Questioning About Age-Related Comments
At another point during the Oversight Committee's questioning, Clinton addressed claims from witnesses in Epstein cases who recalled the financier saying Clinton 'likes them young.' South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace pressed Clinton on this matter, asking why Epstein would make such statements about him.
'First of all, that's not true,' Clinton responded, adding that he has no 'interest in underage' women. When Mace clarified she said 'young' rather than underage, Clinton maintained his denial. The congresswoman then asked if an intern would be considered young, to which Clinton admitted 'Yes.'
This exchange referenced Clinton's famous impeachment by the House during his presidency for lying under oath about his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, though he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
Additional Testimony from Hillary Clinton
Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also appeared for questioning before the bipartisan group of lawmakers last week. The committee released video footage of both Clintons' separate depositions on Monday, providing unprecedented public access to these proceedings.
The redacted individual in the hot tub photograph has not been officially identified, and it remains unclear whether this person was an underage girl or another victim of Epstein's crimes. Despite the lingering questions, Clinton maintains that whoever shared the hot tub with him during that 2002 trip was not a minor.
