Clinton Reveals Trump's Epstein Rift Originated from Property Dispute
Former President Bill Clinton has provided congressional testimony indicating that Donald Trump terminated his association with financier Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s following a contentious land deal. During a marathon six-hour deposition before the House Oversight Committee, the Democratic former president detailed his understanding of the relationship between the two men.
Golf Course Revelation and Mar-a-Lago Ejection
According to three sources familiar with Clinton's testimony who spoke to CNN, Clinton recounted that Trump personally informed him of the severed friendship over two decades ago during a golf tournament. The former president stated that Trump cited a specific land deal as the catalyst for the rupture, though no additional particulars regarding the property transaction were disclosed during the proceedings.
This congressional testimony aligns with previous public statements from Trump regarding Epstein. In 2019, following Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump declared he hadn't communicated with the financier in over fifteen years, asserting 'I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.' Further elaboration came in 2025 when Trump told reporters at his Scottish golf course that Epstein had 'stole people that worked for me' from Mar-a-Lago, leading to his expulsion from the property.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung corroborated this account, stating Trump had ejected Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for 'being a creep.' Neither individual specified the exact year this removal occurred.
Clinton's Extended Testimony and Defense
The closed-door deposition, which extended beyond six hours, saw Clinton answering every question posed by lawmakers regarding his own connections to Epstein. The former president maintained his innocence throughout, opening with a statement shared on social media: 'I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong.' He emphasized that he had observed no indications of Epstein's sexual misconduct during their association.
Clinton argued that he had terminated his relationship with Epstein years before the financier's criminal activities became public knowledge. He described Epstein as having concealed his behavior effectively from everyone, adding that by the time of Epstein's 2008 guilty plea, their association had long ceased.
Political Dynamics and Cross-Party Commentary
Intriguingly, Clinton reportedly defended Trump during portions of his testimony. Republican Representative James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, claimed Clinton had absolved Trump, quoting the former president as saying: 'Trump has never said anything to me to make me think he was involved.'
This characterization was immediately contested by Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who asserted Comer's description was inaccurate and that Clinton's testimony had raised 'some very important new questions about comments President Trump has actually made in the past.'
Trump himself expressed sympathy for Clinton, telling reporters: 'I like him. I don't like seeing him deposed, but they certainly went after me.' The current president had previously voiced support for his predecessor after Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify under threat of contempt charges.
Historical Context and Precedents
Clinton's compelled testimony marks a historic moment, making him the first former president ever forced to testify before Congress against his will. Only four other former presidents—Trump, Harry Truman, John Tyler, and John Quincy Adams—along with sitting President Richard Nixon have been formally subpoenaed by Congress. Of these, only Tyler complied, while the others refused.
The Supreme Court has never issued a definitive ruling on whether presidents can be compelled to testify before Congress, though the Department of Justice has historically argued for 'testimonial immunity' to protect separation of powers.
Documentary Evidence and Additional Testimonies
Lawmakers questioned Clinton following the release of new Department of Justice files containing thousands of references to both Trump and Clinton in relation to Epstein. Photographic evidence presented to Congress shows Clinton on Epstein's private jet, swimming with associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and in a hot tub with an unidentified woman.
Clinton acknowledged flying on Epstein's plane in 2002 and 2003 for Clinton Foundation work, citing the aircraft's capacity to accommodate his staff and Secret Service detail. He denied ever visiting Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little St. James—a claim corroborated by Maxwell in a separate Justice Department interview.
The former president visited the Clinton White House at least seventeen times between 1993 and 1995 and flew on Epstein's private jet at least twenty-seven times. Despite this frequent contact, Clinton maintained he observed no suspicious behavior.
Family Perspectives and Additional Witnesses
Clinton expressed frustration over his wife Hillary's compelled testimony the previous day, during which she stated she had no memory of meeting Epstein. 'You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing,' Clinton told lawmakers, emphasizing she had neither traveled with Epstein nor visited any of his properties.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick now faces calls to testify after Epstein files revealed he visited the financier's island despite claiming to have severed all ties. Trump defended Lutnick as 'a very innocent guy.'
Democratic lawmakers argued Clinton's deposition establishes a precedent that should apply equally to Trump, given his documented relationship with Epstein. Representative Garcia demanded immediate testimony from Trump before the Oversight Committee, though Chairman Comer has resisted this, noting Trump has already addressed Epstein questions with the press.
The deposition was recorded by cameras, with testimony expected to be released following review by the Clintons' legal team. Republicans have sought to question Clinton about Epstein for years, particularly following Epstein's 2019 suicide in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
