Bill Clinton, during a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee regarding his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, was questioned about a photograph depicting him in a hot tub, according to a report from the BBC. The image, released by the US Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files, prompted inquiries about the context and details surrounding the encounter.
Responding to the questioning, Clinton stated he did not recall being aware the photograph had been taken. He believes the picture was taken in Brunei, at the conclusion of an extended trip throughout Asia. Clinton explained that the Sultan of Brunei, with whom he had developed a relationship during his two terms as president, had offered assistance to the Clinton Global Initiative, his international development foundation. The Sultan suggested a hotel for Clinton to stay in during his visit.
“I want you to stay at this hotel and I hope you will use the pool. So I did. And then I got out, and went to bed, exhausted,” Clinton recounted, as reported by the BBC. When asked about the identity of the other individual in the photograph, whose face was redacted by authorities, Clinton stated twice, “I don’t realize who that is.” He further clarified that other members of his traveling party were also present at the pool, which was adjacent to the hot tub, and confirmed that no children were present.
Clinton described briefly sitting in the hot tub – “for five minutes, or whatever it was” – before retiring for the night. He denied any suggestion of sexual activity occurring that evening. The deposition, which lasted over six hours, followed a similar session with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the previous day, according to Time Now News. Clinton testified that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and would have reported him to authorities had he been aware.
The questioning regarding the hot tub photograph comes after newly released Epstein documents surfaced in February 2026, including images of Clinton socializing with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and other high-profile figures, as reported by Fox News. Clinton, in a statement posted to social media prior to his testimony, defended his actions, stating, “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” and asserting that his acquaintance with Epstein was brief and ended years before the financier’s crimes came to light, according to the New York Post.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson commented on the released photos, noting that the Department of Justice was instructed to redact the faces of victims and/or minors, and urged the media to ask “real questions,” as reported by Fox News.
