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Clinton added that, despite old photos or their interpretations, he knows what he saw and what he didn't see, and that his relationship with Epstein had ended long before the crimes came to light in 2008...
Former US President Bill Clinton is testifying today in a closed hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of the investigation into the sex crimes of financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The hearing is being held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, near the Clintons' home, and comes a day after the long testimony, over 6 hours, of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who categorically denied any acquaintance or involvement with Epstein, saying she did not remember ever meeting him and that she had no information about his crimes.
In his opening remarks prepared for the surrender, which have been made public, Bill Clinton stressed that he came forward for two main reasons: love of country and the belief that no one, including presidents, are above the law, as well as to support justice for Epstein's victims.
"Democracy requires that every person play their part, and I hope that by being here today, we can pull ourselves a little further from the brink and return to a place where we can disagree with each other in a civilized way - where the search for truth and justice trumps the partisan desire to score points and create spectacle. I will do my part, and I hope you will do yours. The second reason I am here is because the girls and women whose lives Jeffrey Epstein destroyed deserve not only justice, but healing ," said Bill Clinton.
He strongly denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, saying he had no idea Epstein was committing crimes, saw nothing, and did nothing wrong. Clinton added that, despite old photos or their interpretations, he knows what he saw and what he didn't see, and that his relationship with Epstein had ended long before the crimes came to light in 2008.
"First of all, I had no idea about the crimes Epstein was committing. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that ultimately matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw and, more importantly, what I didn't see. I know what I did and, more importantly, what I didn't do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong ," Clinton said, among other things.
He also defended his wife, Hillary Clinton, saying that she had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein and that she had never met him, traveled with him or visited his properties.
"But before we get started, I need to talk about personal stuff. You forced Hillary in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She doesn't recall meeting him. She didn't even travel with him or visit any of his properties. Whether you called 10 people or 10,000, including him, it just wasn't right ," the former president said.
Clinton admitted that she often says "I don't remember" about events that happened decades ago, but stressed that she will not speculate or guess, because she is under oath and owes the American people only the truth.
This is the first historic case in more than 40 years that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress. The committee, led by Republican James Comer, has said it is seeking to clarify the connections of senior political figures to Epstein, while Democrats have called the investigation "political" and have demanded that other figures, including current President Donald Trump, be heard.
As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing—I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals. pic.twitter.com/0rX8cat5Pu
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) February 27, 2026
Bill Clinton's full opening speech:
Good morning. Welcome to Chappaqua.
I'm here today for two reasons. The first is that I love my country. And America was built on the idea that no one is above the law, not even Presidents - especially Presidents.
Democracy requires that every person play their part, and I hope that by being here today, we can pull ourselves a little further from the brink and return to a place where we can disagree with each other in a civilized manner - where the quest for truth and justice trumps the partisan desire to score points and create spectacle. I will do my part, and I hope you will do yours.
The second reason I am here is that the girls and women whose lives Jeffrey Epstein destroyed deserve not only justice but also healing. They have waited far too long for both. Even though my brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light, and even though during our limited interactions I never saw any indication of what was really going on, I am here to offer what little I know in order to prevent something like this from happening again.
But before we get started, I need to talk about personal matters. You forced Hillary in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She doesn't recall meeting him. She didn't even travel with him or visit any of his properties. Whether you called 10 people or 10,000, including him, it just wasn't right.
We began this hearing with me raising my hand and swearing that I would tell the truth. But everyone has a responsibility to be honest with those they represent. Whether you raised your hand or not, each of us owes the American people nothing but truth and accuracy. Now, let me tell you what you will hear from me.
First, I had no idea what crimes Epstein was committing. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that ultimately matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw and, more importantly, what I didn't see. I know what I did and, more importantly, what I didn't do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong.
As someone who grew up in a home with domestic violence, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any idea what he was doing, but I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not for love affairs.
But even with 20/20 hindsight, I didn't see anything that would have stopped me. We're only here because he hid it so well from everyone for so long. And by the time the guilty plea was revealed in 2008, I had long since stopped associating with him.
You will often hear me say that I don't remember. That may be unpleasant. But I will not say something that I am not sure of. All this happened a long time ago. And I am bound by my oath not to speculate, or to guess. This is not only for my own benefit, but because it does not help you that I am playing the detective role 24 years later.
Since I am under oath, I will not falsely state that I am looking forward to your questions. But I am willing to answer them to the best of my ability, consistent with the facts as I know them: the legal, the logical, and even the bizarre.
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