The Deposition of President Bill Clinton on the Epstein Probe

On February 20, 2026, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a formal deposition of former President William Jefferson Clinton regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The video documents the full proceedings, including opening statements, examination by majority and minority staff, and Clinton’s testimony under oath.

According to the House Oversight Committee, the investigation concerns alleged mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation into Epstein and Maxwell, the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death, the operation of sex trafficking rings, and ways Epstein and Maxwell allegedly sought to curry favor with influential figures to protect their activities.

Meeting and Relationship Development

According to the deposition, Clinton testified that he first met Epstein around 2002 when he received a call from Larry Summers, then president of Harvard. According to Clinton’s testimony in the video, Summers described Epstein as a successful investment adviser who had made a substantial commitment to Harvard for brain research and wanted to discuss economics and politics with Clinton. House Oversight Committee records indicate that Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995, though Clinton testified he was not aware of these visits at the time.

Clinton testified that he took trips on Epstein’s airplane to Africa, Asia, and Northern Europe beginning in 2002 to support his foundation’s work on HIV/AIDS medication access. According to Clinton’s account in the video, he took his last flight with Epstein in 2003. Clinton characterized his relationship with Epstein as cordial but stated he did not consider Epstein a close friend, saying they had “almost no contact beyond what I described.”

The Ghislaine Maxwell Connection

According to the deposition, Clinton testified that he first met Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein. Clinton alleged in the video that he understood her to be Epstein’s “chief of staff or administrator.” According to Clinton’s testimony, his relationship with Maxwell lasted longer than with Epstein because Maxwell was dating Ted White, a major supporter of Clinton’s foundation who was interested in ocean pollution reduction. Clinton testified that he had not seen Maxwell in approximately a decade and that their contact ended after 2019 when it became clear she was involved in Epstein’s crimes to an extent he did not previously know.

White House and Post-Presidential Interactions

The House Oversight Committee presented evidence of a birthday letter Clinton allegedly wrote for Epstein’s 50th birthday. According to the deposition, Clinton testified he was asked by his staff to contribute to a birthday book, though he did not recall who made the request. Clinton testified he did not remember the circumstances of a photograph showing him and Epstein together at what appears to be a social gathering, stating he has “no idea” of the context despite appearing comfortable in the image.

According to Clinton’s testimony in the video, he visited Epstein’s New York townhouse once briefly, and Epstein visited Clinton’s Harlem office once. Clinton testified that Epstein came to his office in Harlem and that he paid a brief visit to Epstein’s house. Clinton stated that outside of foundation-related work and airplane trips, these were the extent of their in-person meetings.

Claims About Knowledge and Law Enforcement

According to the deposition, Clinton testified he first learned of Epstein’s crimes in 2008 when Epstein was prosecuted. Clinton stated in the video that “there’s nothing that I saw when I was around him that made me realize he was trafficking women.” According to Clinton’s testimony, he was never contacted by law enforcement regarding Epstein or Maxwell and never provided information to any law enforcement agency about either of them.

According to the House Oversight Committee’s questioning, neither Epstein nor Maxwell ever informed Clinton they were working with any intelligence service, and Clinton testified he never suspected them of intelligence agency affiliation.

In House Oversight Committee’s Own Words

“According to foyer requests to the Clinton Library, Mr. Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995.”

“The committee originally noticed the deposition for President Clinton on December 12th, 2025. President Clinton did not appear for his deposition on January 13, 2026.”

“Pursuant to the committee’s investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation into Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Miss Ghislaine Maxwell, the circumstances and subsequent investigations of Mr. Epstein’s death, the operation of sex trafficking rings and ways for the federal government to effectively combat them.”

Significance

This deposition represents a significant congressional effort to examine connections between former high-level government officials and individuals alleged to have operated extensive criminal enterprises. The House Oversight Committee’s investigation focused on whether influential figures may have been targeted by intelligence operations, how Epstein and Maxwell cultivated relationships with powerful individuals, and what federal agencies knew about their activities. The deposition also examined whether government investigations into Epstein and Maxwell were conducted appropriately and whether there are systemic failures in combating human trafficking and sex trafficking operations that should inform future policy.