Hillary Clinton Testifies in Epstein Probe: ‘I Had No Idea’ About His Crimes, Calls for Trump Questioning
On February 26, 2026, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared for a closed-door deposition before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York, as part of its ongoing congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The session, which lasted more than six hours, marked a rare and highly contentious moment in U.S. political history, with Clinton firmly denying any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and accusing Republicans of using the probe for political distraction.
In an opening statement released publicly on social media before the testimony began, Clinton stated unequivocally: “I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices.” She emphasized that she had no information that would advance the committee’s inquiry into Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, describing the subpoena as a compelled appearance despite her lack of relevant knowledge.
Clinton reiterated these points after the deposition ended, telling reporters outside the venue: “I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices. So it’s on the record numerous times.” She described the questioning as “repetitive” and “long,” suggesting the committee could have used its time more productively on substantive issues rather than what she called a “fishing expedition.”
The deposition was not without drama. Proceedings were briefly paused after a Republican lawmaker allegedly leaked a photograph from inside the room to a right-wing blogger, prompting Clinton to demand a public hearing instead of the closed-door format. She criticized the process as politically motivated, asserting that the real focus should be on President Donald Trump’s documented past associations with Epstein. “I want to see the truth come out,” Clinton said, calling for Trump to be questioned under oath about his relationship with the late financier.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) defended the probe, stating that the American people deserve answers about Epstein’s exploitation of connections to powerful figures—including the Clintons—to evade accountability for his alleged sex trafficking crimes. Comer noted that the investigation examines the federal government’s handling of Epstein-related cases, potential ethics violations by officials, and broader accountability issues.
No public evidence has directly linked Hillary Clinton to Epstein or Maxwell. She has previously stated she knew Maxwell casually as an acquaintance through social circles but denied any deeper involvement. In contrast, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane for charitable purposes multiple times but has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of criminal behavior.
Bill Clinton is scheduled to sit for his own closed-door deposition on February 27, 2026—the day after his wife’s testimony. This will mark the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify before Congress in over four decades (since 1983). Sources indicate his session could last even longer than Hillary’s, with expectations of detailed questioning about his documented flights and social ties to Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation, launched under Republican leadership, has subpoenaed multiple figures, including former Justice Department officials, in an effort to scrutinize how Epstein’s cases were handled—from his controversial 2008 Florida plea deal through his 2019 arrest and death in federal custody. The probe has drawn criticism from Democrats as partisan, especially given the inclusion of the Clintons amid broader political tensions.
Clinton’s testimony drew mixed reactions. Supporters viewed her appearance as a demonstration of cooperation despite what she called baseless demands, while critics on the right highlighted the rarity of such high-profile questioning and pressed for more transparency. Some committee members, including Democrats, described the session as unproductive, with repetitive lines of inquiry yielding no new revelations.
As the investigation continues—with Bill Clinton’s testimony looming—the Epstein probe remains a flashpoint in an already polarized political landscape. It revives long-standing questions about accountability for powerful individuals linked to Epstein, even as no new criminal allegations have emerged against the Clintons from publicly available documents.
The committee has not yet indicated whether additional witnesses or public hearings will follow, but the back-to-back depositions of the former first couple underscore the enduring shadow cast by Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes nearly seven years after his death.
(Compiled from reports by BBC, NPR, AP, NBC News, PBS, The New York Times, CNN, Axios, Politico, and other major outlets as of February 27, 2026. Developments are ongoing; check official committee statements and live coverage for updates on Bill Clinton’s testimony.)
