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By Suzanne Blake
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Former President Bill Clinton’s Jeffrey Epstein deposition is taking place on Friday in Chappaqua, New York. While Americans may hope to watch the testimony live, it will be a closed-door event.
While the actual deposition itself is closed to the public and no live video feed of Clinton’s testimony will be available, Americans can expect an eventual public release.
House Oversight Committee leaders have said they intend to release the video and transcript once it is reviewed and approved.
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Why It Matters
Clinton’s sworn testimony before the Republican‑led House Oversight Committee is part of its investigation into Epstein’s network of associates and how Epstein avoided federal prosecution for years.
It is not a criminal trial or a civil lawsuit deposition, but instead a congressional deposition.
That means Clinton will testify under oath with the questioning conducted by committee lawyers and investigators.
Republican Committee Chair Representative James Comer of Kentucky has said the investigation is about understanding Epstein’s influence network, not accusing the Clintons of crimes. Clinton has not been charged with wrongdoing related to Epstein.
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What To Know
What Epstein Files Said About Bill Clinton
The “Epstein Files” are thousands of documents, photographs, emails, flight logs, contact lists, and investigative materials released by the U.S. Department of Justice and Congress under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was passed late last year.
The law requires disclosure of unclassified federal records related to Epstein and his associates, with redactions to protect victims’ identities.
The files do not represent findings of guilt. They are raw records compiled from investigations, court filings, and seized materials.
Flight records show Bill Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private aircraft multiple times in the early 2000s, after leaving the presidency.
There are at least 16 documented flight legs. The trips included international travel, including to Africa, which Clinton’s office has said was related to Clinton Foundation humanitarian work.
However, the released flight logs do not show Clinton traveling to Epstein’s private island.
Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein Photos
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice released thousands of photographs as part of the first tranche of records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Among them were previously unseen photos of former President Bill Clinton in social settings involving Epstein, as well as Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex trafficking.
The DOJ emphasized that being pictured does not imply wrongdoing, and that many photos are undated and lack location context.
In some, Clinton is shown shirtless in a hot tub with an unidentified person whose face is blacked out, while other images show Clinton in or near a swimming pool with Maxwell and another unidentified individual.
Clinton is also shown smiling or posing with Epstein at several social events, including dinners.
How Old Are Bill and Hillary Clinton?
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton are 79 and 78 years old, respectively.
The two met at Yale Law School in 1971. After Bill returned to Arkansas to teach law, he eventually became the governor of Arkansas and the U.S. president in 1993.
Bill Clinton Impeachment: Why Former President Was Impeached
Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, for perjury and obstruction of justice.
He was not impeached for having an affair, but for lying under oath and interfering with a legal process connected to that affair.
The impeachment grew out of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Clinton by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee. During sworn testimony in that civil case, Clinton denied having a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton eventually acknowledged that he had an “inappropriate relationship” with Lewinsky during grand jury testimony in August 1998, and he apologized publicly for misleading the public and his family.
What People Are Saying
Representative James Comer (R‑Ky.), chair of the House Oversight Committee, previously said: “No one’s accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing. They’re going to have due process. But we have a lot of questions.”
Hillary Clinton said in a statement related to her testimony: “You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.”
Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña said in a statement: “What the Department of Justice has released so far, and the manner in which it did so, makes one thing clear: someone or something is being protected. … We need no such protection.”
What Happens Next
Clinton’s deposition is set to take place on Friday. While there is no livestream available, the House Committee is expected to release the video and transcript shortly after.
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