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Bill Clinton Responds Following Release of Previously Unseen Photos in Epstein Files

Former President Bill Clinton pushed back forcefully after a massive new batch of Epstein files — including hundreds of thousands of previously unreleased photos — was made public, sparking fresh controversy and online debate.

On Friday, December 19, the Department of Justice complied with a congressional mandate to release a huge cache of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The trove includes photos, videos, police records, and victim reports as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law designed to shed light on Epstein’s network and activities.

Among the thousands of images now public, some feature Clinton in photos with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including a widely shared shot of Clinton in a pool with Maxwell and a blurred-out woman. Other images show Clinton at a dinner with Epstein and rock star Mick Jagger, and in casual settings such as a hot tub.

Despite the sudden surge of attention around Clinton’s name, President Donald Trump was notably not visible in these latest files, despite his previously documented ties to Epstein.

USA – DECEMBER 20: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – âTHE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell are seen in one is seen outside No 10 Downing Street in one of the images released by the US Department of State. The US Justice Department released thousands of records Friday related to the sex trafficking investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The release came on the last day of the 30 days allowed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act — legislation forcing the Justice Department action to release all documents related to the probe. (Photo by The US Justice Department / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)

Clinton Fires Back

Clinton’s team responded immediately. In a statement posted on X, spokesperson Angel Ureña accused the White House and political opponents of trying to turn Clinton into a “scapegoat.”

USA – DECEMBER 20: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – âTHE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell are seen in one is seen outside No 10 Downing Street in one of the images released by the US Department of State. The US Justice Department released thousands of records Friday related to the sex trafficking investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The release came on the last day of the 30 days allowed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act — legislation forcing the Justice Department action to release all documents related to the probe. (Photo by The US Justice Department / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)

“The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton,” Ureña wrote.
“This isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be.”

Ureña went on to categorize people connected to Epstein into two groups:

  • Those who cut ties before Epstein’s criminal behavior came to light
  • Those who continued associations afterwards

Clinton has maintained that his connections with Epstein ended long before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor in Florida. The Guardian reported that Clinton insists he cut off contact around 2005.

Photos Go Viral — But No Charges

One photo shared by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X — a pool picture with Clinton, Maxwell, and an unidentified woman — quickly went viral, accompanied by a simple “Oh my!” and a red-faced emoji.

USA – DECEMBER 20: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – âTHE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein are seen in one is seen outside No 10 Downing Street in one of the images released by the US Department of State. The US Justice Department released thousands of records Friday related to the sex trafficking investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The release came on the last day of the 30 days allowed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act — legislation forcing the Justice Department action to release all documents related to the probe. (Photo by The US Justice Department / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)

Legal experts and reporters emphasizing context have noted that appearing in these images does not imply any criminal accusation. Many high-profile individuals show up in the released material, and inclusion in the files doesn’t mean charges have been brought or will be brought.

The release is part of a broader transparency effort aimed at bringing decades-old material into the public eye — not a criminal indictment of everyone photographed.

What Comes Next

The fallout from the images continues online and in political discourse, with critics pressing for explanations and defenders focusing on the context of the relationships. Clinton’s defenders point to his public statements about when he ended contact with Epstein, while critics highlight how patterns of association raise public questions.

As the conversation evolves, one thing is clear: these photos have reignited scrutiny of Epstein’s network and continue to fuel discussion about accountability, transparency, and the power of historical public records in shaping current narratives.

What do you think about the release of these Epstein files and the response from Bill Clinton’s team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!