Hillary Clinton calls for truth to 'come out' after Epstein testimony

Hillary Clinton calls for truth to 'come out' after Epstein testimony
Hillary Clinton outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Centre, in Chappaqua, New York, U.S., 26 February 2026.
Reuters

Speaking during a closed-door deposition in New York on Thursday (February), former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she did not “recall” ever meeting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and had “no knowledge of his crimes”.

During more than six hours of testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Mrs Clinton repeatedly denied any connection to files relating to Epstein.

Concluding her evidence, she said she wanted “the truth” to emerge and called for President Donald Trump to be questioned under oath about his past association with Epstein.

Photo leak prompts criticism

Proceedings were briefly suspended after a photograph was taken inside the private hearing and later posted on X by a conservative influencer. Mrs Clinton urged Democrats on the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to condemn the leak, describing it as “completely against the rules.”

She also said she was “disappointed” that the testimony had not been made public. “So I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you,” she added

“Partisan political theatre”

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mrs Clinton repeated her claim that the inquiry amounted to “partisan political theatre” and described the hearing as “repetitive”. She urged the committee to call Mr Trump to give evidence.

“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 home, I never went to his offices,” she said.

However, she said she commended the committee’s chairman, James Comer, for raising what she described as significant questions and for allowing her to outline areas she believes warrant further examination.

Republicans call deposition 'productive'

Comer and fellow Republicans characterised the deposition as productive, saying Mrs Clinton answered most of their questions.

“I think we learned a lot. There were a lot of questions that we asked that we, you know, weren’t satisfied with the answers that we got, but we will continue to move forward,” Mr Comer said.

Bill Clinton to testify

Her husband, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, is due to testify on Friday. He has previously acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane but has denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, his crimes.

Mrs Clinton said his association with Epstein had ended long before charges were brought and before Epstein secured what she described as a lenient plea deal in Florida. She added that some of Epstein’s offences might have been prevented had that agreement not been reached.

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