In a significant revelation, Ghislaine Maxwell asserted during an interview with a top official at the Department of Justice that former President Bill Clinton never visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island estate and shared no independent relationship with him beyond the trips taken on Epstein's plane in the early 2000s. This statement emerged from a transcript of Maxwell's interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, which was released on Friday.
Maxwell, 63, characterized her relationship with Clinton as a friendship, stating, "President Clinton was my friend, not Epstein's friend." She further mentioned that she always felt a warmth from Clinton that was absent in her interactions with Epstein. This interview, which took place last month in Tallahassee, Florida, was unusual as it occurred post-conviction, following her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking and related offenses linked to her role in Epstein's sexual exploitation of minors.
During the nine-hour conversation, which has now been made public by the DOJ, Maxwell maintained her innocence, alleging that the government was pursuing her as a substitute for Epstein after his death in federal custody in 2019. A federal prosecutor noted at her sentencing in 2022 that Maxwell exhibited "absolutely no remorse" and had made several misrepresentations that suited her narrative.
Blanche's goal during the meeting with Maxwell was to uncover any information she may have regarding individuals involved in crimes against victims. Maxwell stated that she had never observed any wrongdoing by Clinton or other prominent figures connected to Epstein, including Donald Trump. She described Clinton as a "truly extraordinary man," revealing that a mutual friend introduced her to the former president, which eventually led to her being invited to his home in Chappaqua, New York.
Maxwell recounted attending the wedding of Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, in 2010 with her then-boyfriend, Ted Waitt, a co-founder of Gateway Computers. She claimed that she initially met Waitt at a Clinton event in Hong Kong, where Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane.
The history of Clinton traveling with Epstein has long fueled speculation about their relationship. Flight logs from Epstein's private jets, revealed during civil litigation against him, indicated that Clinton traveled extensively on Epstein's Boeing 727 to international destinations, including Rwanda, Russia, and China, in 2002 and 2003. Maxwell was identified as a passenger on these flights.
She asserted that it was she who suggested Epstein make his plane available for Clinton's travels, claiming, "They met because of me, and the plane was because of me." Despite the extensive travel, Maxwell insisted that Clinton had no genuine interest in Epstein, viewing him merely as a wealthy individual with a private jet.
Clinton's connection with Epstein has been a topic of controversy, especially with Donald Trump insinuating that Clinton's trips might involve compromising behavior. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Clinton visited Epstein's infamous island, but Clinton has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with a spokesperson stating that he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities and had not visited Little St. James, the island Epstein acquired in 1998.
After Epstein's arrest in July 2019, Clinton's aides addressed the issue for the first time, asserting that Clinton had not spoken to Epstein in over a decade and that all of his trips on Epstein's plane were related to the work of the Clinton Foundation.
Maxwell reiterated her certainty that Clinton never visited Epstein's island, stating, "He never, absolutely never went. And I can be sure of that because there's no way he would have gone." She argued that Clinton did not have an independent friendship with Epstein, emphasizing that all their trips had a humanitarian purpose.
Reflecting on her time with Clinton, Maxwell described it as an "honor and a privilege" to work alongside someone she viewed as an extraordinary ex-president. She claimed to have played a central role in supporting the establishment of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), although she downplayed her contributions, stating that the idea for CGI predated her involvement.
Maxwell's attorneys have maintained her innocence throughout her legal battles, arguing that she was being prosecuted to fill the void left by Epstein's death. In her interview, Maxwell indicated that while Epstein supported her efforts, he often attempted to insert himself into her initiatives, which created tension between them.
Both Maxwell and Epstein previously sought to emphasize their claimed contributions to Clinton's initiatives as they navigated their legal troubles. In a 2007 letter, Epstein's lawyer highlighted his involvement in the CGI's creation, showcasing the intertwining of their lives with that of the former president.
