Pizzagate and the Clintons: Bill Clinton denies wrongdoing in closed-door Epstein deposition

Pizzagate appears as a single-word reminder of how charged online debates can be as former President Bill Clinton testified before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee one day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, was deposed in the Epstein probe. Clinton told the panel he "saw nothing" and "did nothing wrong, " and criticized the committee for requiring his wife's deposition.

Closed-door testimony lasted about six hours

Clinton sat for a closed-door deposition that lasted about six hours on Friday with the House Oversight Committee, having acknowledged that he knew and traveled with Jeffrey Epstein but saying he had "no memory of even meeting him"—a description he used when defending his wife, Hillary Clinton. The deposition came one day after the committee questioned Hillary Clinton for a similar amount of time about what she knew regarding Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Oversight chair called the session "very productive" in Chappaqua

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., spoke outside the venue in Chappaqua, New York, and said Clinton "answered every question" or "attempted to answer every question" in what Comer described as a "very productive" deposition. Comer said "we learned some things" but also said "we were hoping to get more, " and called Clinton "charming, " adding, "He's got Southern people skills. " Comer told reporters before Friday's deposition, "It's a historical day for the United States Congress, " and said, "No one is accusing anyone of any wrongdoing, but I think the American people have a lot of questions and our House Oversight Committee is committed to getting answers. "

Clinton's opening statement and a firm denial

In his opening remarks, which he posted on X, Clinton said: "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. " He closed his statement with the line, "Since I am under oath, I will not falsely state that I am looking forward to your questions. But I am ready to answer them to the best of my abilities, consistent with the facts as I know them: the legitimate, the logical and even the outlandish. "

Photos released in probe, denials about specific encounters

Files related to the Epstein probes that have been released to date include numerous pictures of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Maxwell; in some, Clinton appears in a hot tub, in others swimming in a pool with Maxwell, and in others sitting at a table with a woman sitting on his leg. The pictures are undated, it is unclear where they were taken, and the files released do not suggest any wrongdoing. During the deposition, Clinton told lawmakers he did not know the woman pictured with him in a jacuzzi in the Justice Department's release of files and said he did not have sex with her when asked during the session; was first to report this detail. Clinton also repeatedly said during his deposition that he never visited Epstein's island.

Political reaction and procedural notes

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S. C., said Clinton answered questions "even when his attorneys told him to shut up. " Unlike his wife the day before, Clinton did not speak to reporters after the deposition. The Clintons previously told the committee in sworn declarations last month that they had "no personal knowledge" of any "criminal activities" by Epstein or Maxwell. Clinton is the first sitting or former president to testify before members of Congress in more than 40 years.

Pizzagate in the headlines and media delivery

One of the provided headlines framed the broader media moment as "Why the Clintons’ ordeal might end up backfiring on Trump, " while another read "WATCH LIVE: Former President Bill Clinton speaks after Epstein probe deposition. " offered a live stream and related video coverage with prompts to "Log in to comment on videos and join in on the fun, " "Watch the live stream of and full episodes, " and guidance to "Reduce eye strain and focus on the content that matters. "

Comer said he expects a video and transcript of the Hillary Clinton deposition to be made unclear in the provided context. The next confirmed development in the matter is the committee's work on those materials and any decisions the House Oversight Committee announces about making deposition records available.