Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has told congressional investigators that President Donald Trump once remarked that he had shared “some great times” with financier Jeffrey Epstein before their relationship deteriorated. The account, delivered under oath in a videotaped deposition to the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, adds a new layer to longstanding public scrutiny surrounding prominent figures who associated with Epstein prior to his criminal convictions.
Clinton emphasized in his testimony that neither he nor Trump had indicated any awareness of Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time of their interactions. Authorities have not accused either man of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Deposition Details: A Conversation at a Golf Tournament
According to the video released by the committee, Clinton recounted that Trump raised the subject of Epstein during a golf tournament in 2002 or 2003, shortly after Clinton had left office and well before Trump entered politics. Clinton said Trump appeared aware that he had flown on Epstein’s aircraft and referenced their past association.
“He said, ‘You know, we had some great times together over the years, but we fell out all because of a real estate deal,’” Clinton testified. He added that the exchange did not lead him to believe Trump was involved in any improper activity.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the release of the deposition footage.
Associations Before Criminal Convictions
Both Clinton and Trump acknowledged having social or professional associations with Epstein prior to his 2008 guilty plea in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein moved within elite business and political circles, hosting influential figures at residences in New York, Florida, and the Caribbean.
Over the years, both men have stated publicly that they saw no evidence of sex trafficking during their interactions with Epstein. Federal authorities have not charged either Clinton or Trump with criminal activity connected to Epstein.
Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges and died in a New York jail cell. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it prompted widespread public debate and multiple investigations.
Release of Justice Department Records
During Trump’s current second term in office, the Justice Department has released millions of pages of investigative records related to Epstein. Among the materials are photographs showing Clinton alongside women whose faces were redacted in the released documents.
Clinton has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has said he regrets his association with Epstein. His representatives have maintained that his interactions were linked primarily to philanthropic initiatives.
The document releases have renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network of contacts but have not produced charges against Clinton or Trump.
Clinton’s Account of Introduction and Travel
In his testimony, Clinton said he was introduced to Epstein by former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who described the financier as a donor interested in supporting global initiatives. Clinton said Epstein offered use of his aircraft for travel connected to the establishment of a charitable foundation focused on combating AIDS.
Clinton confirmed flying on Epstein’s jet on trips to Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as on a domestic flight from Florida to New York. He said he ceased accepting support from Epstein after 2003.
“I thought Mr. Epstein was an interesting man, but I didn’t think he was really interested in what I was doing,” Clinton testified.
Denials of Misconduct and Broader Inquiry
Clinton stated under oath that he never had sexual contact with anyone introduced to him by Epstein or Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. He acknowledged receiving a neck massage from a flight attendant later identified as an Epstein abuse survivor but said he was unaware at the time of any misconduct by Epstein.
Bill also said he never visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island and did not know that Epstein had visited the White House multiple times during his presidency from 1993 to 2001.
The Republican-led panel also subpoenaed former Secretary of State Hillary , who testified that she did not recall meeting Epstein. The committee has indicated that its broader review aims to clarify the extent of Epstein’s connections with prominent public officials and business leaders
