In his forthcoming memoir "Citizen: My Life After the White House," Former President Bill Clinton addresses his history with Jeffrey Epstein, aiming to clarify misunderstandings about their past interactions.
Clinton discusses his past usage of Epstein's plane for philanthropic work and denies having visited Epstein's private island, New York Post reported.
In his memoir set for release on November 19, Bill Clinton states that although he traveled on Jeffrey Epstein's plane in the early 2000s, he never set foot on the financier's infamous private island. Clinton used Epstein’s plane, known as the "Lolita Express," in 2002 and 2003 for trips related to his work with the Clinton Global Initiative.
The former president indicates that he ceased all contact with Epstein by 2005, the same year Epstein was first arrested. Clinton elaborates on their limited interactions, claiming they met only twice in private. Despite images surfacing of Clinton receiving a massage from one of Epstein's accusers, Chauntae Davies, Clinton maintains that he did not participate in other activities Epstein was later accused of.
Allegations have persisted, including one from Virginia Giuffre in 2020, suggesting Clinton visited Epstein’s island. Nonetheless, there has been no formal accusation of wrongdoing against Clinton concerning these claims. Further clarifying, a spokesperson for Clinton corroborated that he utilized Epstein’s jet a total of four times.
Clinton acknowledges the continued scrutiny these trips have placed him under. Reflecting on the situation, Clinton admits regret: "The bottom line is, even though it allowed me to visit the work of my foundation, traveling on Epstein’s plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward," he notes in his memoir.
Clinton’s book not only revisits his time associated with Epstein but also delves into his surprise confrontation during a 2018 NBC interview concerning the Monica Lewinsky scandal. He revisits how the rise of the MeToo movement prompted a fresh inquiry into past apologies he made in 1999.
Recalling the interview, Clinton writes that Craig Melvin asked him if his perspective had shifted in light of recent societal changes. Though initially caught off guard, Clinton reiterated his previous public apologies to those affected by his actions, saying he had felt deep remorse even back then.
I said, ‘No, I felt terrible then,’ Clinton recounts, paraphrasing his response. 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.
Clinton's reflections in "Citizen" extend beyond specific events to broader themes of regret and reputation management. The revelations regarding Epstein and the Lewinsky saga offer a window into Clinton's views on accountability.
Addressing his remorse, Clinton underscores that his public expressions of apology towards Monica Lewinsky and others were genuine, a sentiment he stands by to this day. He wishes he had never met Epstein, emphasizing that he could not foresee the egregious crimes Epstein would later be proven to have committed.
Through this memoir, Clinton seeks to consolidate his account of interactions with Epstein while reiterating his stance on past missteps. The book aims to serve as a comprehensive narrative of his life post-presidency.
The memoir is set to hit shelves soon, and it is expected to attract further scrutiny and public interest surrounding Clinton’s detailed personal reflections. "Citizen" promises to offer not only a recount of events but an introspective look at a former president's navigation of personal and political challenges.
Overall, Clinton desires to close chapters of speculation and hearsay, offering clarity from his perspective. His narrative attempts to balance humility with defensive explanations about tumultuous periods post-White House.
