Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton repeatedly told lawmakers that she did not remember ever meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during hours of questioning before the House Oversight Committee.
Her closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, N.Y., was briefly halted after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert sent a photo of the session to a conservative influencer, who later posted it online — a move that violated committee protocol and sparked immediate backlash.
A video released Monday by the committee shows Hillary Clinton confronting lawmakers over the violations. “I’m done wondering if you do,” she said. “From now on you can despise me until the cows come home. Both sides later agreed to resume the meeting.
Tensions escalated as Republican lawmakers pressed her over alleged ties to Epstein. “I’m so tired of answering that question,” Clinton said at one point.
Face off with Republican Nancy Mace over Lutnick
She also clashed with Republican Nancy Mace over her past association with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Mace cited an email in which Lutnick allegedly asked Epstein to donate to a political event for Hillary Clinton at Cantor Fitzgerald. Hillary Clinton responded forcefully, raising her voice and insisting that she be allowed to finish her answer.
Hillary Clinton said she met with Lutnick after the September 11, 2001 attacks in which 650 Cantor Fitzgerald employees were killed at the World Trade Center. At the time, she was serving as a US Senator from New York. The exchange grew tense, with Clinton pounding her palm on the table as she responded.
The Pizzagate issue is drawing strong push back
Boebert also asked Clinton about references to “pizzagate,” the debunked conspiracy theory that claims Democratic Party insiders hid child sex slaves in a Washington pizzeria. “I can’t believe you’re even bringing that up,” Clinton responded, noting that the conspiracy theory once led a gunman to enter a Washington restaurant.
Former President Bill Clinton largely distanced himself from Epstein in his testimony. He said anyone with information about Epstein’s abuse should come forward.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14 in Florida. He died in a New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Epstein visited the White House many times during Bill Clinton’s presidency, and photos show the two shaking hands.
The depositions were made as part of the House Oversight Committee’s review of high-profile individuals’ past interactions with Epstein. While both Clintons denied improper ties, the testimony underscored the ongoing political and public scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s network and associations.
