Clintons Grilled in Epstein Depositions: Video Shows Heated Exchange, Hot Tub Questions

WASHINGTON — Newly released video footage from closed-door depositions shows a combative Hillary Clinton nearly storming out of a hearing with Republican lawmakers, while former President Bill Clinton was forced to explain a now-infamous hot tub photograph as part of hours of testimony regarding their ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The House Oversight Committee released over nine hours of video on Monday, showing the former first couple sitting for separate depositions last week in which they both denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims, but their long-standing associations with the financier have fueled years of speculation and calls for testimony.

Hillary Clinton Erupts Over Leaked Photo

The most dramatic moment of the proceedings came during Hillary Clinton’s testimony when her lawyer informed the room that a photo from inside the deposition had been leaked to the public. Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert admitted to sharing a photo taken before the hearing began, which was subsequently posted online by a conservative influencer.

An irate Clinton banged her fist on the table. “It doesn’t matter. We are all abiding by the same rules,” she said, before standing up and declaring, “I am done with this. If you guys are doing that, I am done. You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home.”

The hearing was paused for a break. Upon reconvening, Clinton’s lawyer scolded the committee, calling the leak “unprofessional” and “unfair,” noting that her client had originally requested a public hearing—a request the committee denied.

During the questioning, Clinton faced bizarre queries from Rep. Boebert regarding “Pizzagate,” a debunked conspiracy theory that falsely claimed a pedophilia ring linked to Hillary Clinton was operating out of a Washington D.C. pizzeria. A perplexed Clinton dismissed the line of questioning, stating, “Pizzagate was totally made up. It was an outrageous allegation that ended up hurting a number of people. I can’t believe you’re even referencing it.”

In a lighter moment, Rep. Eric Burlison asked Clinton about her past interest in declassifying UFO files, a topic she addressed during her 2016 presidential campaign. Clinton responded that she is pleased the government is moving toward releasing such files, adding, “I think whatever can be disclosed should be disclosed.”

Bill Clinton Questioned on Hot Tub, Maxwell, and Trump

In his deposition, Bill Clinton was pressed on a photo released by the Justice Department showing him lounging in a hot tub at a hotel in Brunei, with another person’s face redacted. Clinton claimed he did not know the photo was being taken and was “almost sure” it was shot at the end of a long Asia trip. He described the moment as a brief, post-swim relaxation before going to bed, denying any sexual activity occurred.

“I sat in the hot tub for five minutes, or whatever it was, and I got up and went to bed,” he testified. When asked about the identity of the redacted person in the photo, Clinton stated twice, “I don’t know who that is.”

Regarding Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s co-conspirator currently serving a 20-year sentence, Clinton said he was “friendly” with her and that her arrest and crimes were “really hard for me.” When asked if President Trump should pardon her, Clinton demurred, stating, “I don’t think I should comment on that. Somebody besides me should make a decision on what it is.”

The former president also recounted a conversation with Donald Trump from around 2002 or 2003 regarding Epstein. Clinton testified that Trump told him he and Epstein had been friends but had a falling out “over a land deal.” Clinton stated that Trump did not put any “sexual spin on” the conversation and never said anything to suggest he knew of any improper activity.

Throughout his testimony, Bill Clinton maintained that he was only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein and that their relationship, centered on charity work, “ended years before his crimes came to light.”