Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
The pair have reversed their position days after a deluge of files related to the disgraced financier and convicted pedophile were made public by the DOJ, with the House moving to hold the Clintons in contempt if they refused to appear before Congress.
The former president and first lady have long argued that they submitted written testimony to Congress, as others in the investigation had, and that they had only a “limited knowledge” of Epstein.
Neither has been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has repeatedly suggested that getting them to testify in front of Congress is an attempt to embarrass them.
“They negotiated in good faith,” Angel Ureña, President Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, posted. “You did not.
"They told you under oath what they know, but you don't care.
“But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there,” Ureña continued. “They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone."
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Sarah Ferguson’s charity to close ‘for foreseeable future’ after Epstein file revelations
Key revelations about Sarah Ferguson in Epstein files, including ‘just marry me’ message
Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify in House Epstein probe as contempt vote looms
Key Points
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wished he was a 'pet' in Epstein's family
- 'Who made the phone call that stopped the 2007 investigation?’: Activists slam DOJ's handling of Epstein files
- 'Not a crime to party with Mr Epstein': Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says
- Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein to set up women's charity while he was in prison for child sex crimes
- Former British duchess's charity closes after her Epstein links made public
- Clintons to testify in House investigation into Epstein
- President Clinton's spokesperson hits out against his client being forced to testify
Melinda French Gates reacts to ex-husband Bill Gates being mentioned in Epstein files
15:37 , Isabel KeaneMelinda French Gates reacted to her ex-husband, Bill Gates, being mentioned in the latest release of the Epstein files.
Bill Gates’ name being mentioned in the files is not new; however, the latest batch of files released Friday shines a light on concerning alleged behavior of the Microsoft founder.
Emails in the files suggest that Bill Gates had additional affairs and that he tried to get medication to give to his wife to treat a sexually transmitted infection without her knowledge.
Melinda French Gates acknowledged the “painful times” in her marriage during an interview with NPR’s Wild Card podcast, but said her heart breaks for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.
“No girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him. No girl, I mean, it’s just beyond heartbreaking,” she said. “I remember being those ages those girls were. I remember my daughters being those ages.”
She continued: “For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up. It brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage, but I have moved on from that. “
“And I am so happy to be away from all the muck,” she added.
A spokesperson for Bill Gates denied the allegations.
Mandelson to step down from House of Lords amid Epstein revelations
15:21 , Isabel KeaneImages of New York City Major with Jeffrey Epstein are AI-generated
15:15 , Isabel KeaneArtificial intelligence-generated photos claiming to show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child with Jeffrey Epstein have been debunked.
Multiple images of Mamdani and his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, alongside Epstein, were widely shared on social media on Monday.
A parody X account originally shared the images after a new batch of Epstein files were released by the Justice Department Friday.
However, according to an Associated Press report, the images were created with AI. The parody account notes that it creates “high-quality AI videos and memes.”
One of the images showed Mamdani and Nair in front of a group of people, including Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein former President Bill Clinton, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. In the image, Mamdani appeared to be a preteen or young teenager.
Another supposedly shows the same group, minus Nair.
Meanwhile, other AI-generated images depict Mamdani as a baby being held by Nair as she poses with Epstein.
The AI images began to be circulated after an email released last week mentioned Nair, an award-winning Indian filmmaker, who was supposedly at the same party as Epstein in 2009.
Mamdani appears as a baby or young child in all of the images, but he would have been 18 in 2009 when his mother is said to have attended the party.
British politician Peter Mandelson to retire from House of Lords following mention in Epstein files
15:11 , Isabel Keane
British politician Peter Mandelson told parliamentary officials he plans to retire from the House of Lords following questions over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Speaker of the House of Lords said Tuesday that Mandelson has announced he will retire from Parliament’s upper chamber on Wednesday.
Earlier Tuesday, the British government said it had sent a file of material to police looking into allegations that Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein.
Watch: Jon Stewart reacts to be casually mentioned in the Jeffrey Epstein files
14:56 , Owen ScottLate-night show host Jon Stewart reacted to being casually name dropped in the Epstein files during his opening monologue.
The comedian poked fun at an email exchange between Epstein and producer Barry Josephsen, in which they appear to suggest that Stewart could collaborate with them on a project.
Stewart joked that he was “outraged,” before launching into a scathing attack on Donald Trump’s fear of “Epstein’s shadow.”
Pictured: New images show Epstein on his infamous island
14:27 , Owen ScottNew images appear to show Epstein with several victims on his infamous island, Little St James.
The island is one of several landmasses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean Seam and is believed to be where Epstein carried out many of his crimes.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie 'aghast' at mom's Epstein ties
14:04 , Owen Scott
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are “aghast” at the newly released emails between their mother, Sarah Ferguson, and Jeffrey Epstein.
The newly released emails detail Ferguson, nicknamed “Fergie” by the British press, telling Epstein that she needs £20,000 and congratulating him on a “baby boy.”
The bombshell revelations have left “appalled,” a source close to the sisters told The Daily Mail .
“They are aghast at what they have read,” the source said. “They are mortified by the emails their mother has sent to Epstein. It is so embarrassing for them.”
Their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is also named in the files with one picture showing him crounched on all fours over an unidentified woman.
Epstein offered advice on dealing with Putin
13:46 , Owen Scott
A newly released recording appears to feature Jeffrey Epstein offering a man advice on how to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is unknown who Epstein was speaking to in the recording.
“The key would be - I would think about is, no I’ve decided about is - at some point, I would send a note to Putin,” he begins, before going on to dictate a draft note for the listener to send to the Russian leader.
“I’m going to leave government on March 14,” Epstein can be heard dictating. “I’m going to be in Scandinavia or I plan to be in Northern Europe. We should have dinner.
“That’s it. No more. It has to be very short,” he concludes.
Watch: Prince Edward breaks his silence on brother Andrew's connection to Jeffrey Epstein
13:31 , Owen ScottPrince Edward made a rare public statement on his brother, Andrew’s, connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Responding to a question asked at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, he said that the audience would “not be the least bit interested” in hearing him talk about Epstein.
“It is really important to always remember the victims,” he added.
'Wish I was still a pet in your family' Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor told Epstein
13:17 , Owen Scott
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) told convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, “wish I was still a pet in your family!”
The British royal made the surreal claim in an email released in Friday’s deluge of documents related to the disgraced financier.
The email was titled The Troublesome One and includes a claim from Andrew that “Kate has agreed to a deal in London.” Further context to this is not given.
The email was addressed to Epstein’s holiday address, raising questions of the identity of someone named only as “J.”
Andrew urges Epstein to bring “J over the line” before remarking on the “cold and dank” whether wherever he sent the email from.
He signs the email off with the bizarre pet claim.
As the US grapples with the Epstein files, Trump brags about his poll numbers
13:15 , Owen Scott
Friday’s release of three million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has shaken politicians, royals, media outlets and members of the public across the world.
Meanwhile, Trump spent last night bragging about his polling numbers on Truth Social.
“The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received,” he wrote. “Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!”
It is unknown which study Trump, who is named in the recent release around 3000 times, is referring to.
Others polls paint a much gloomier picture of the president’s approval ratings.
A New York Times survery found that 55 percent of respondents had a negative view of Trump, while a recent Morning Consult poll found that disapproval of the president hovered around 53 percent.
Piers Morgan has three-word response to calls for Andrew and Lord Peter Mandelson to testify before Congress
12:56 , Owen Scott
Former CNN host Piers Morgan says “it’s long overdue’ that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) and Lord Peter Mandelson testified about Jeffrey Epstein before Congress.
Morgan, who currently hosts Uncensored, made the remarks on X in a post which has been “liked” over 11,000 times.
“It’s long overdue time that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson submitted themselves to being properly interrogated under oath by the Epstein investigating authorities,” he wrote.
Both Mandelson, who is a British political grandee, and Andrew have been accused of having a close relationship with the convicted pedophile.
Friday’s release of files related to Epstein revealed that Mandelson told the pedophile that banks should “threaten” former British Chancellor Alistair Darling in the wake of the 2008 Financial Crash. Mandelson’s husband also allegedly accepted $10,000 from Epstein.
Meanwhile, new images show Andrew crouched on all fours over a woman. He has long maintained that the late Virginia Giuffre was not sex trafficked to the United Kingdom by Epstein in order to have sex with him.
Both men deny any criminal wrongdoing.
Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Russian soldiers in Friday's release of Epstein images
12:36 , Owen ScottGhislaine Maxwell is pictured with Russian troops in Friday’s release of pictures from the Epstein files.
She is also pictured with her boyfriend, convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, while appearing in a variety of luxury locations.
US Judge to hear request for 'immediate takedown' of Epstein files
12:04 , Owen ScottA federal judge will hear a request to block access linked to files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to an AFP report.
The Department of Justice released more than 3 million files related to the convicted pedophile on Friday, but lawyers have complained that the names of several victims have been left unredacted. Some victims have even had their personal details allegedly leaked by the DOJ’s release of the files.
Questions raised over Epstein final girlfriend after bombshell 'baby boy' claim from Sarah Ferguson
12:00 , Owen ScottKaryna Shuliak, Epstein’s final girlfriend, reportedly inherited $50 million, a townhouse in New York, a Parisian apartment, the infamous island of Little St James and a 33 carat diamond ring when the convicted pedophile died.
Besides that, little is known about the Belarus-born woman.
However, now fresh questions are being asked about Shuliak’s relationship with Epstein after newly released emails suggested that the convicted pedophile may have fathered a son before his death.
The scandal centers around an email from the British former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, who allegedly wrote an email to Epstein, 15 years ago, to congratulate him on the birth of his son.
Katie Rosseinsky has the full story...
Claim that Epstein had a baby has put a new focus on last girlfriend
Fury continues to build as activists say that more Epstein files are being withheld
11:36 , Owen Scott
Anger over the botched handling of the release of the Epstein files by the DOJ continues to build, as over 3 million documents remain undisclosed.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act required all documents to be released by December 19.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says that his department has delivered on realising the files, albeit a month late.
“After submitting the final report to Congress as required under the act and publishing the written justifications for redactions in the Federal Register, the department’s obligations under the act will be completed,” Blanche told reporters.
However, lawyers defending Epstein’s victims say this is not good enough.
Jennifer Plotkin, of Merson Law, which represents more than 30 victims, says that the Trump administration is failing victims.
“The government continues to avoid accountability and has argued that they are not responsible for Epstein’s abuse of hundreds of victims,” she told The Guardian. “The release of the files proves the government failed the victims over and over again.”
Dr Ann Olivarius, a women’s rights attorney, also questioned why only files related to Epstein’s crimes have been released and not documents naming those who aided and abetted him.
“We have plenty of files on Epstein’s depravity. What we are missing are the files on his immunity,” she told The Guardian. “The question isn’t just ‘who was on [Epstein’s] plane?’ but ‘who made the phone call that stopped the 2007 investigation?’
“A disclosure is not complete if it tells us something about the criminal but nothing about the shield.”
She also said that she is “suspicious” of the current investigation and believes “tactical misuse” may have been applied to some of the documents.
Trump's Washington construction projects could be a sign that he's worried about the Epstein files
11:24 , Owen ScottSome presidents get statues. Some get libraries. Donald Trump, reportedly eyeing the construction of a now 250-foot arch to himself in the middle of Washington, DC, is very keen this week to seal his legacy in a different kind of way.
But it does seem a little badly timed, considering the whole “big tranche of documents about the pedophile island for billionaires” thing, doesn’t it?
If you look at it another way — and there will be a lot of ways to look at it, if it’s really built that big — the whole thing is more about anxiety than ego.
Holly Baxter has the full story...
Is this proof Trump is panicking about his legacy after Epstein file release?
Watch: Epstein victims hold up photographs from when they were abused
10:39 , Owen ScottIn a moving video, the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring opened up about overcoming abuse by the convicted pedophile.
Many of the victims held up photographs of themselves at the age at which they were abused.
“This is me when I met Jeffrey Epstein,” one says.
“There are about a thousand of us,” another adds.
“It’s time to bring the secrets out of the shadows,” a third victim says.
Epstein tried to court Vladimir Putin, according to new releases
10:21 , Owen ScottPaedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein spent years trying to win an audience with Vladimir Putin, according to emails published by the US justice department.
The Russian president is mentioned 1,055 times in the latest Epstein files release, which saw the DOJ share more than 3 million new documents on Friday.
The Russian president is mentioned 1,055 times in the latest Epstein files release, which saw the DOJ share more than 3 million new documents on Friday.
Epstein claimed to have a “friend of Putin’s” and even suggested that “putin might come to the states.”
James C. Reynolds has the full story...
Epstein files reveal paedophile financier’s desperate attempts to court Putin
'It isn't a crime to party with Mr Epstein': Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says
10:09 , Owen Scott
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has said it is “not a crime to party” with Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to Laura Ingraham on her eponymous show The Ingraham Angle, Blanche suggested that some evidence in the Epstein files may not be enough to lead to prosecutions.
“But, as you know, it is not a crime to party with Mr Epstein,” Blanche told Ingraham. “And so, as horrible as it is, it’s not a crime to email with Mr Epstein.
“And some of these men may have done horrible things. And, if we have evidence that allows us to prosecute them, you better believe we will.
“But it’s also the kind of thing that the American people need to understand that it isn’t a crime to party with Mr Epstein. It isn’t a crime to have lunch on his island.”
When Ingraham asked whether some of the photos suggest more wrongdoing than simply lunching or partying with Epstein, Blanche was evasive.
“Unfortunately, photos can't speak,” he said. “And so we need witnesses and we need evidence,” before stating all videos from the files have been released.
He did caveat that claim, though.
“Not of any individuals, men having improper sex or anything with victims,” he said. “But there's videos. They're all released for everybody to see.”
Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein to set up women's charity while he was in prison for child sex crimes, documents suggest
10:01 , Owen Scott
Sarah Ferguson seemingly contacted Jeffrey Epstein while he was in prison for soliciting sex from a minor.
The email, released in the latest wave of documents from the DOJ, is centered around her Mothers Army business, which was designed to uplift women’s voices.
“I need to ask you how I start The Mothers Army company so it can be commercial, how do I do that? Can you help me?,” a writer named “Sarah” wrote on June 14, 2009, according to the BBC.
That same “Sarah” followed up 12 days later by writing: “I am alive... yes I did go to the first lady and she loved the Mothers Army. I am going to call you later Love you.”
Two years later, Epstein sent an email to “ferg,” promising to transfer her money.
"Of course you can have mothers army, it was always for you„” he wrote. “Im not sure how to transfer it, but rest assured , it is your in its entirety, I will ask how the transfer is accomplished, we just want to be careful that there is no downside at the moment to have a transaction between you and I.”
Watch: Royal expert warns there is 'more to come' on the Epstein files
10:00 , Owen ScottA prominent British royal expert has warned that there is “more to come” in the Epstein files.
Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, told the BBC that “it can only get worse” for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) as more Epstein files continue to be released.
The Clintons' deposition comes after a months-long battle between the presidential couple and a House GOP leader
09:46 , Owen Scott
Getting the Clintons to appear before Congress was the result of a months-long battle between the presidential couple and James Comer, the GOP leader of the House Oversight Committee.
A letter, sent on Saturday seen by The New York Times, found that President Clinton’s lawyers had agreed to a four-hour transcribed interview with the committee.
Up until that point, the Clintons had maintained that a written testimony was enough - given that is what other subpoenaed in the investigation were allowed to do.
Hillary Clinton had argued that she had not even met Epstein, but also agreed to an in-person interview.
But Comer was reportedly enraged. He called their offer “unreasonable” and branded President Clinton as “loquacious.”
“Your clients’ desire for special treatment is both frustrating and an affront to the American people’s desire for transparency,” Comer wrote in a response also seen by the NYT.
Bill Clinton’s agreed deposition will have no time limit or range of topics that Republicans can ask him about.
However, prominent Democrats have continued to slam the deposition, particularly when it comes to Hillary Clinton needing to testify.
“I’m not seeing anything to suggest she ought to be a part of this in any way,” Representative Kweisi Mfume, said at a hearing, according to the NYT.
The Clintons sent several fiery letters to Comer, promising to “fight for this country,” believing the Trump administration is taking the United States “step after step after step backwards.”
“As chairman of this powerful congressional committee, you have immense power to target anyone and subject them to closed door interrogation and more,” one letter sent to Comer read. “The decisions you have made, and the priorities you have set as chairman regarding the Epstein investigation, have prevented progress in discovering facts about the government’s role.”
Former British duchess's charity closes after her correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein was made public
09:22 , Owen Scott
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has shuttered her charity after the DOJ released a tranche of emails detailing lengthy correspondence between the British aristocrat and Jeffrey Epstein.
In one email, Ferguson allegedly told Epstein that she needed £20,000. In another, she congratulates the disgraced financier on supposedly fathering a “baby boy,” despite him already being convicted on child sex offences by that point.
Ferguson was also married to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was formerly known as Prince Andrew. In recent years, the disgraced royal has been hounded with the Epstein scandal after a years-long friendship between Andrew and the pedophile was revealed.
Now, Sarah’s Trust, the duchess’s charity, which is dedicated to tackling poverty and inequality, is temporarily closing.
“Our chair, Sarah Ferguson, and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future,” a statement from the charity read, according to The Guardian. “This has been under discussion and in train for some months.”
The statement continued by highlighting the charities work with 60 other non-profit groups in 20 other countries.
“We delivered over 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid pandemic, provided medical aid and training for those affected by the war in Ukraine and delivered education for over 200 children in Ghana,” the Sarah’s Trust spokesperson added.
President Clinton's spokesperson hits out against the investigation
09:00 , Owen ScottAngel Ureña, a spokesperson for the Clintons, hit out against James Comer, the Republican chair of the House oversight committee on social media.
Ureña’s scathing post came after Comer doubled down on getting the Clintons to testify, a battle which had been ongoing for several weeks.
“They negotiated in good faith. You did not,” Ureña blasted. “They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care.
“But the former president and former secretary of state will be there,” he continued. “They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
Clintons to testify in House investigation into Epstein
08:40 , Owen Scott
Both former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton will testify in front of Congress as part of the House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Neither Clinton has been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, but reversed their long-held refusal to testify after the House Oversight Committee voted to hold them in contempt of Congress.
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have already submitted written testimony after being subpoenaed, maintaining that they had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity.
They have argued that the legal summonses are “nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed.”
