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Congressional scrutiny looms over Clinton-Epstein connections
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is set to face a Republican-led congressional committee on Friday, as newly released Department of Justice files reveal details of his association with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The material, which includes photographs and emails, does not implicate Clinton in any wrongdoing but provides insight into the extent of their relationship in the early 2000s.
Decades-old photos and emails resurface
Among the released documents are images showing Clinton in various settings with Epstein and Maxwell. One photo captures Clinton taking a nighttime swim with Maxwell, while another shows him smiling backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in Hong Kong with Epstein. A third undated image depicts Clinton reclining in a hot tub beside an unidentified individual whose face has been obscured.
Clinton's spokesperson has stated that the photos are decades old and that the former president had severed ties with Epstein before his crimes became public. Clinton has not been accused of misconduct by any of Epstein's victims.
Clinton Foundation and Epstein's private jet
The files reveal that Clinton flew on Epstein's private jet at least 24 times between 2002 and 2003, often for trips related to the Clinton Foundation's philanthropic work. Flight logs show stops in Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia, and the U.S. Clinton's team was reportedly seeking to raise up to $100 million for the foundation during this period.
Clinton's Deputy Chief of Staff Angel Ureña told the BBC that the former president "knew nothing about Epstein's crimes and has nothing to hide." Ureña added that Clinton did not send any of the emails contained in the Epstein files.
"We have told the media everything we know about President Clinton's travel with Jeffrey Epstein. The facts are the facts and the truth is the truth, and they're both on our side."
Angel Ureña, Clinton's Deputy Chief of Staff
Maxwell's role in nurturing the connection
Emails released by the Department of Justice highlight the close relationship between Maxwell and Clinton's top aide, Doug Band. Their correspondence from 2002 to 2004 is filled with flattery and sexual innuendo, with Band referring to Maxwell as his "social matchmaker" and "lover."
Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, told the Department of Justice in a 2025 deposition that she was "very central" to the efforts connecting Clinton and Epstein. She claimed to have asked Epstein to provide his private jet for Clinton's use and described their relationship as an "honour and a privilege."
Band, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, stated in a 2020 Vanity Fair interview that he tried to distance Clinton from Epstein after a 2002 Africa trip. He called Maxwell a "monster" and denied having a physical relationship with her.
Clinton Global Initiative and high-profile connections
The emails suggest that Band sought Maxwell's help in brokering connections for the Clinton Global Initiative, a conference aimed at addressing global issues. Maxwell facilitated meetings with influential figures, including Moroccan events mogul Richard Attias, who played a key role in the initiative's success.
Attias confirmed to the BBC that Maxwell was a "catalyst" in connecting him with Band and Clinton. He described her as a "point of contact" who helped bring key personnel to the project.
Clinton's reflections and regrets
In his 2024 memoir, Clinton wrote that he found Epstein "odd" but had no knowledge of his crimes. He stated that he had stopped contact with Epstein by the time of his first arrest in 2005.
"He hurt a lot of people, but I knew nothing about it and by the time he was first arrested in 2005, I had stopped contact with him."
Bill Clinton, 2024 memoir
Clinton expressed regret over his association with Epstein, writing, "The bottom line is, even though it allowed me to visit the work of my foundation, traveling on Epstein's plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward. I wish I had never met him."
