Questions Over ‘Hot Tub’ Photo as Bill Clinton Forced to Testify Before Congress

Melbourne, February 28: Former US President Bill Clinton has been compelled to testify before a Republican-led Congressional committee investigating his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

On Friday (US time), Mr Clinton became the first former president in more than 40 years to be forced to appear before members of Congress. The closed-door deposition was held in Chappaqua, upstate New York, where the Clintons maintain a residence.

In a statement released before the session, Mr Clinton insisted he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time they were acquainted and that their relationship had ended years before Epstein’s crimes became public.

“I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn’t see,” Mr Clinton stated.
“I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn’t do. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong.”

He added that, had he had any indication of wrongdoing, he would not have associated with Epstein and would have supported efforts to bring him to justice. Mr Clinton also said the girls and women harmed by Epstein “deserve not only justice, but healing”.

Importantly, Mr Clinton has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer emphasised that merely appearing in the Epstein files does not imply criminal conduct and that due process applies.

Anger Over Hillary Clinton’s Deposition

At the outset of his testimony, Mr Clinton criticised the House Oversight Committee for requiring his wife, former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton, to sit for questioning the previous day.

Undated images of Bill Clinton made public by the US Department of Justice on 19 December 2025 as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Epstein appears with Clinton in the top-left image, while other individuals in the photos have been redacted by the DOJ. | US Department of Justice

“You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing,” Mr Clinton reportedly said, adding that she had no memory of even meeting Epstein.

According to Democratic committee member Robert Garcia, some of Mrs Clinton’s questioning veered into “unusual” territory, including references to UFOs and conspiracy theories such as “Pizzagate”.

Questioned Over Hot Tub Photograph

During his deposition, Mr Clinton was reportedly questioned about a photograph released by the US Department of Justice in December 2025 as part of the Epstein files. The undated image shows Mr Clinton in a hot tub with an unidentified woman.

According to US media reports, Mr Clinton testified that he did not know the identity of the woman in the photograph. When asked whether he had engaged in sexual relations with her, he denied doing so.

Another image previously released showed Mr Clinton in a swimming pool alongside Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman. At the time, Mr Clinton’s office called for full transparency and urged the Department of Justice to release all relevant records.

Calls for Donald Trump to Testify

Following Mr Clinton’s appearance, Democratic members renewed calls for President Donald Trump to also testify before the committee regarding his own documented links to Epstein.

Mr Trump told reporters he did not like seeing Mr Clinton deposed, but remarked that investigators had “certainly went after me more than that” in previous inquiries.

Mr Garcia later told reporters: “This is not a hoax. He has not been exonerated. And we have serious questions for President Trump.”

When asked whether he believed Mr Trump should testify, Mr Clinton reportedly responded that it was a matter for the committee to decide, adding that Mr Trump had never said anything to make him believe he was involved in Epstein’s crimes.

The investigation continues amid heightened political tensions, as lawmakers seek clarity on the extent of high-profile figures’ associations with Epstein.