Bill Clinton with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1993.Image: Wikimedia
02/27/2026, 06:4302/27/2026, 06:48
In the course of the political investigation of the Epstein scandal, an extremely rare event is occurring in the USA: For the first time in decades, a former US president, Bill Clinton, is scheduled to testify before the US Parliament today. The 79-year-old knew sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 and who had operated an abuse ring for years. Clinton’s name and images appear in documents related to the Epstein investigation. However, Clinton denied any wrongdoing in the context of his acquaintance with Epstein – as well as any knowledge of his crimes.
On Thursday, his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, testified for several hours before the Control Committee in Chappaqua. She lives with her husband in this community in New York, USA. The Democrats accused the Republican chairman of the responsible committee in the House of Representatives, James Comer, of conducting a politically motivated procedure. Rather, “someone who actually interacted with Jeffrey Epstein” should be questioned. This refers, for example, to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick or US President Donald Trump.
Hillary Clinton speaks to the media after her appearance before the US Congress.Image: keystone
No ex-president has testified before Congress since 1983
According to consistent US media reports, the last time a former US president testified before the US Congress before former President Clinton (1993-2001) was in 1983: Gerald Ford, US President from 1974 to 1977. This was about planning the celebrations surrounding the 200th anniversary of the American Constitution, as the New York Times and NBC News reported.
The case at issue now seems much more explosive in comparison – even though the Republican Comer said before the questioning began that the Clintons were currently not accused of any wrongdoing. They want to clarify how Epstein gained influence and wealth and which networks protected him.
What is known about Bill Clinton’s connection to Epstein
Bill Clinton’s name has long been associated with Epstein in the USA. According to a BBC investigation, there are already photos of Clinton and Epstein from the early 1990s. Public records are said to show, for example, that Epstein donated to Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992.
For the first time in decades, a former US president has to appear before Congress.Image: keystone
At the time, nothing about Epstein’s crimes was publicly known. The financier had excellent contacts with high society. Celebrities, politicians and billionaires came and went with him. Contact between Clinton and Epstein continued at least into the early 2000s. Shortly after Epstein’s arrest on human trafficking charges for sexual exploitation in July 2019, a Clinton spokesman, Angel Urena, said that as former president, Clinton took four trips on Epstein’s private jet between 2002 and 2003.
Clinton appears several times in the Epstein files that have been published so far: In one picture, the Democrat can be seen swimming in a pool with Epstein’s assistant Ghislaine Maxwell. In other photos you can see him without any relation to the two of them. Simply mentioning his name or his picture are not indications of wrongdoing.
When asked if she was sure her husband knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes, Hillary Clinton said after her own questioning: “I am.” She emphasized that Bill Clinton’s association with Epstein ended several years before anything about his crimes was known.
Hillary Clinton’s questioning is “unserious clown show”
When questioned, Hillary Clinton denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. She never met or communicated with the financial investor. She only knew his accomplice Maxwell briefly. Instead of trying to distract from the handling of the Epstein files with the current questioning, the committee should press ahead with the complete publication of the documents, said Clinton.
Following her questioning, she expressed disappointment that it had not taken place publicly despite her calls for transparency. She hopes that the video recording will be released as soon as possible. Democrats in the committee spoke of a “dubious clown show” and “political theater” in view of their questioning.
Lutnick may also testify
In the course of the surveys, Trade Minister Lutnick also comes into focus again. The Epstein files show that he had longer contact with the financier than previously admitted. According to media reports, committee head Comer said before Hillary Clinton’s questioning began that it was “very possible” that Lutnick would also be summoned before the committee. Democrats have been calling for this for a long time.
Party members are also examining whether important documents were withheld when the Justice Department published the files – including documents relating to allegations against Trump. The ministry denies this, but announced that it would re-examine some of the documents. Trump denies any wrongdoing. (leo/sda/dpa)