Bill Clinton says there was ‘no sexual spin’ on Trump’s remark he had ‘great times’ with Epstein (Image: Getty)
Bill Clinton told a powerful Committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein‘s abuse of underage girls that there was « no sexual spin » on Donald Trump recalling « great times » with the late financier. Videos of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton answering questions about convicted paedophile Epstein were released on Monday by the House Oversight Committee investigating the late financier.
Recordings of the depositions spanned hours and show how both the former US president and ex-Secretary of State distanced themselves from Epstein. Neither Mr nor Mrs Clinton have been accused of any wrongdoing.
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Bill Clinton chatted to Donald Trump about Epstein at a charity golf tournament in New York (Image: Getty)
Mr Clinton told the Committee it was for members to decide whether Mr Trump should answer questions about what he knew of Epstein – something Democrats have been calling for in particular.
The former president recalled one conversation he had with Mr Trump during a charity golf tournament in the early 2000s in New York.
Mr Clinton said: « The president never – this is 20 something years ago – never said anything to me to make me think he was involved in anything improper with regard to Epstein either. He just didn’t.
« He just said we were friends and then we had a falling out over a land deal, property deal. That’s all. »
The former president said Mr Trump played a few holes while he was on the course and he somehow knew Mr Clinton had flown in Epstein’s plane.
He told the Committee: « 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. »
Committee member James Walkinshaw asked: « Do you recall whether President Trump was the first one to affirmatively bring up the subject of Jeffrey Epstein? »
To which Mr Clinton replied: « No, but I’d be shocked if I did. I just don’t do that, you know? »
Mr Walkinshaw asked: « Do you recall if President Trump elaborated at all on the great times he had with Jeffrey Epstein? »
Mr Clinton replied: « No. And at the time I took no – I didn’t put any, you know, sexual spin on it. »
His questioner then asked: « And as far as you recall, President Trump characterised the nature of the ending of their friendship as being solely due to the real estate bidding? »
Mr Clinton answered: « That’s what he said… But I didn’t think much about it at the time and, you know, it was two minutes and then we were gone. »
The former president also told the committee he ended his relationship with Epstein years before the financier entered a guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.
He said he first remembered meeting Epstein when he flew aboard his private jet in 2002 for the Clintons’ humanitarian work. He said they parted ways the year after.
Mr Clinton told the Committee: « There’s nothing that I saw when I was around him that made me realize he was trafficking women. »
Epstein visited the White House numerous times during Clinton’s presidency and there are photos of them shaking hands, but Mr Clinton said he did not recall those interactions.
Mrs Clinton said she never even recalled meeting Epstein. However, they faced hours of questioning under oath from lawmakers who are ostensibly searching for accountability for anyone who was aware or ignored Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
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