Washington — The House Oversight Committee on Monday released video of last week's depositions with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Hillary Clinton testified Thursday, while Bill Clinton appeared before the committee a day later.
The video of Bill Clinton's testimony is 4 hours and 33 minutes. Hillary Clinton's testimony is 4 hours and 35 minutes.
The depositions took place behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York, the Clintons' hometown. It capped what Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the Republican chairman of the committee, described as a lengthy effort to secure testimony from the couple about their knowledge of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in prison on sex trafficking charges.
Watch Bill Clinton's Epstein deposition
The Deposition of President Bill Clinton on the Epstein Probe by GOP Oversight on YouTube
Watch Hillary Clinton's deposition
The Deposition of Secretary Hillary Clinton on the Epstein Probe by GOP Oversight on YouTube
The Clintons have repeatedly said that they had no knowledge of Epstein or Maxwell's crimes. Both Clintons released their opening statements to the committee before their testimony.
The video shows former president strayed from his prepared remarks during the deposition. He said there's a photo of him and his wife shaking hands with Epstein during a photo line for a White House Historical Association fundraiser in 1993.
"Neither she nor I remembered shaking his hand all those years ago," he said, chiding the committee for bringing in his wife for questioning. "So I don't think that was right. On the other hand, I do think you should be talking to me. I think you should have called me. I did take those plane trips with him, and you have a right to ask those questions."
During his questioning, Bill Clinton said his first memory of meeting Epstein was in 2002 during a flight he took on his plane. The former president testified that he took four or five flights on Epstein's plane to Asia, Africa and northern Europe for his philanthropic work through the Clinton Foundation. He was also once offered a ride from Florida to New York, though he had Epstein were in Florida for different reasons, he said.
His relationship with Epstein ended in 2003, he said, because there were other donors whom Clinton knew better and who cared more about the foundation's work.
"I thought Mr. Epstein was an interesting man, but I didn't think he was really interested in what I was doing," he testified, adding that he tries not to overstay his welcome with donors.
He said it had been 10 or 12 years since he last saw Maxwell, who had been in a relationship with a mutual friend.
Clinton confirmed he wrote a letter to Epstein that was included in a book for the disgraced financier's 50th birthday. He said he did not remember why he contributed, but said it was likely at the request of his staff. Clinton was also shown a copy of a get-well-soon note he apparently wrote to Epstein's mother in 1995. The former president said it looked like his handwriting, but he did not recall writing it or ever meeting Epstein's family.
Clinton denied ever having sexual activity with anyone introduced to him by Maxwell, visiting Epstein's private island in the Virgin Islands, having an interest in underage girls or ever witnessing any sexual abuse during his overseas trips on Epstein's plane.
Clinton also recounted a conversation he had with President Trump at a golf fundraiser in the early 2000s. Clinton said he remembered Mr. Trump bringing up Epstein unprompted, possibly because he knew Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane. Clinton said he did not think Mr. Trump was implying anything sexual.
"And he said, 'You know, we had some great times together over the years, but we fell out all because of a real estate deal.' And he said, 'I'm sorry it happened.' That's all."
Transcripts of the depositions have yet to be released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Jacob Rosen and Daniel Ruetenik contributed to this report.
