Bill Clinton has spoken out after a large number of previously unseen photos were released in the Epstein files.
The explosive batch of images, tied to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was released by the Department of Justice on Friday under a congressional mandate.
Among them are photos of the former president with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and a blurred-out woman in a pool - scenes that have sparked fierce online reaction and renewed partisan finger-pointing.
A spokesperson for the 79-year-old didn’t mince words, accusing the White House of using Clinton as a “scapegoat” in a public statement posted to X.
“The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton,” the spokesperson wrote.
“This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever. So they can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be," they added.
Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Clinton in a photo released by the Justice Department. Credit: Department Of Justice
Clinton Allies Push Back As Controversial Images Go Viral
The release was part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act - a law that forced the DOJ to begin releasing nearly 600,000 pages of redacted documents, including photos, videos, police records, and early victim reports tied to Epstein.
While most high-profile figures featured in the images are not accused of any crimes, the reaction has been swift and intense.
One of the most viral photos shows Clinton swimming in an underground pool alongside Maxwell and a woman whose face has been digitally obscured.
Another shot captures the former president at a dinner with Epstein and rock legend Mick Jagger. Additional images show Clinton lounging in a hot tub.
In a pointed jab, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted the pool photo on X with the caption “Oh my!” followed by a red-faced emoji.
White House communications director Steven Cheung added: “Slick Willy! @BillClinton just chillin, without a care in the world. Little did he know…”
But Clinton’s spokesperson Angel Ureña didn’t hold back, saying: “There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first."
"No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that. Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats," he added.
Ureña also referenced White House chief of staff Susie Wiles’ recent remarks to Vanity Fair, where she confirmed that Clinton never visited Epstein’s infamous Caribbean island - despite repeated claims to the contrary by Donald Trump.
Bill Clinton is pictured in a hot tub with Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman in another picture. Credit: US Department of Justice
Clinton has maintained he cut ties with Epstein around 2005 - before the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor in Florida, per The Guardian.
Though Epstein visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency, later trips taken together were reportedly for work related to the Clinton Global Initiative.
The former leader has never been formally accused of abuse or misconduct by Epstein’s victims.
Epstein files include shocking content, more public figures
The release contains much more than just photos of Clinton. There are also disturbing images of women with quotes from Lolita written across their bodies, and a widely condemned image of Epstein shirtless with a toddler.
Victim Maria Farmer, one of Epstein’s earliest accusers, also appears in the files, detailing in a 1996 FBI complaint how Epstein allegedly stole personal photos of her young sisters and threatened to “burn her house down” if she told anyone. “I feel redeemed,” Farmer said.
Photos released also show a slew of high-profile names, including Prince Andrew - now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - lying across five redacted individuals as Maxwell grins nearby. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Other celebrities pictured include Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Chris Tucker, Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Steve Bannon, and Qatari royal Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousef Bin Jassim Bin Jabor al Thani.
The DOJ has clarified that being pictured in the files is not evidence of criminal activity.
Jeffrey Epstein posing alongside Michael Jackson in an undisclosed location. Credit: US Department of Justice
Donald Trump’s name appears sparingly in the documents, though one court record alleges that Epstein introduced a 14-year-old girl to Trump in the 1990s at Mar-a-Lago and elbowed him, saying, “This is a good one, right?” The now-79-year-old allegedly smiled and nodded, and the girl said, “They both chuckled.”
She has not accused Trump of abuse, though she said the moment made her uncomfortable. Trump has denied all wrongdoing.
Epstein holding a cheque signed by D. Trump. Credit: US Department of Justice
Clinton Set To Testify In House Epstein Probe
As pressure builds, both Bill and Hillary Clinton are expected to give depositions to the House Oversight Committee next month regarding their ties to Epstein.
Originally scheduled for last week, the sessions have been rescheduled to January 13 and 14. Committee chair James Comer has threatened contempt proceedings if the Clintons fail to appear, according to Politico.