In his memoir "Citizen," former President Bill Clinton candidly discusses an interview that revisited the Monica Lewinsky scandal amidst the #MeToo movement.
In "Citizen," Clinton reflects on his presidency's most volatile period—the scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky—and its enduring aftermath, New York Post reported.
Bill Clinton appeared on NBC's "Today" show in 2018, during which host Craig Melvin inquired about the affair with Lewinsky and its implications in the context of the then-prominent #MeToo movement. This rekindling of the past came at a time when the public and media were intensely scrutinizing past behaviors of public figures through a new lens of understanding and accountability.
The discussion led to an evident frustration from Clinton, who noted in his memoir that he was taken aback by Melvin's line of questioning. He described the interview as "not my finest hour," reflecting deep-seated emotions about the affair that led to his impeachment and has continued to resonate through his post-presidential years.
Expressing sincere regret in his memoir, Clinton recollected telling Melvin his feelings of remorse towards Lewinsky and others affected. "I said that I had apologized to her and everybody else I wronged," he noted. However, he admitted that he had never made a personal apology directly to Lewinsky, only publicly.
The former president elucidated on his response to the direct question about apologizing to Lewinsky: "I said, ‘No, I felt terrible then.’ ‘Did you ever apologize to her?’ I said that I had apologized to her and everybody else I wronged. I was caught off guard by what came next. ‘But you didn’t apologize to her, at least according to folks that we’ve talked to.’ I fought to contain my frustration as I replied that while I’d never talked to her directly, I did say publicly on more than [one] occasion I was sorry."
In 2021, Monica Lewinsky expressed her continued desire for a direct apology from Clinton, stating that anyone who hurts another should seek to make amends. She shared this sentiment amidst a broader cultural reassessment of past actions and ongoing efforts toward personal accountability.
Further acknowledging the permanent impact of the affair, Clinton confessed, "I live with it all the time." Yet, he praised Lewinsky's anti-bullying advocacy and conveyed his best wishes for her future endeavors.
The Lewinsky scandal not only led to Clinton's impeachment but also left a long-lasting imprint on his life and legacy. Throughout "Citizen," he grapples with the public and private consequences of his actions during his presidency.
While discussing the repercussions, Clinton pointed out his continual struggle with the fallout from the scandal. He also criticized the interviewer's approach, suggesting that Melvin's understanding was possibly clouded by his youth during the time of the original controversy.
In a reflective tone, Clinton wrote in his memoir about managing anger directed at oneself versus others. "Regardless, it’s always better to save your anger for what happens to other people, not yourself," he advised, encapsulating a philosophy of looking outward rather than inward in times of personal turmoil.
In his concluding thoughts, Clinton praised Lewinsky's work against bullying: "I wish her nothing but the best," he noted, reflecting a sentiment of goodwill despite the complicated history between them.
Bill Clinton's memoir Citizen offers a candid reflection on one of the most challenging episodes of his political career, exploring his infamous interview, impeachment, and the lasting impact of the scandal. The book highlights personal accountability and the evolving societal norms surrounding public life.
