The release of a massive trove of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has thrust former US President Bill Clinton back into the spotlight, with his image featuring prominently across the files. A spokesman for Clinton has swiftly responded, accusing former President Donald Trump of attempting to use Clinton as a "scapegoat."
Clinton's Prominent Presence in Unredacted Files
The US Department of Justice made public a staggering 300,000-page document on Friday, 19 December. The release, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, included photographs and evidence connected to Epstein's case, with redactions applied only to protect victims or minors. Consequently, Bill Clinton was one of the few identifiable individuals left uncovered, appearing in at least a dozen photographs.
The images depict Clinton in various social settings linked to Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. One particularly notable photo shows a half-naked Clinton in a pool with Maxwell and several other women, whose identities are redacted. Other pictures show him posing with celebrities including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Mick Jagger, as well as in Epstein's company wearing silk shirts.
In a more unusual inclusion, a portrait of Clinton, in which he is depicted lounging in a blue dress and red high heels, was also among the released materials.
Accusations Fly as Clinton's Office Responds
Angel Urena, chief of staff to the former president, issued a pointed statement on social media platform X. He argued the timing of the Friday document dump was a strategic move by the White House to "shield themselves."
"The White House hasn't been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton," Urena stated. "This is about shielding themselves from what comes next... 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."
The statement drew a clear distinction between two groups: those who cut ties with Epstein before his crimes were widely known, and those who continued their association afterwards. Urena firmly placed Clinton in the first category, asserting he stopped contact once Epstein's "shady behavior came out."
"Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats," the statement concluded, in a clear dig at Trump and his supporters.
Trump's Limited Appearance and Ongoing Feud
In contrast to Clinton's frequent appearance, Donald Trump's presence in the documents was minimal. He was pictured in a framed photograph on Epstein's desk and within personal scrapbooks, but his visibility was far less pronounced. This is despite past claims from Trump that Clinton visited Epstein's private island, Little St. James, "supposedly 28 times"—allegations Clinton has denied and for which Trump's campaign says there is no evidence.
The document release has reignited a long-running political feud. Trump has previously alleged that both Bill and Hillary Clinton "spent large portions of their life with Epstein." In response, he has reportedly ordered an investigation into Clinton and other Democrats linked to the financier.
However, emails released by House Democrats in November outlined Trump's own past relationship with Epstein, suggesting a fallout occurred in the early 2000s. Correspondence from 2011 indicated Epstein believed Trump had met some of his victims.
The dramatic unveiling of the Epstein files, and the subsequent war of words between the camps of two former presidents, ensures the scandal will remain a potent and divisive issue in American politics.
