Leaked photo, hot tub, and Pizzagate – video of Clintons’ testimony on Epstein ties released

Hillary Clinton nearly stormed out of her closed-door testimony to US lawmakers about Jeffrey Epstein after a photo of her from the deposition was leaked, newly released video footage shows.

“I’m done with this. If you guys are doing that, I am done,” the former US Secretary of State said when told about the leak. “You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home.”

The video footage, released on Monday by the House Oversight Committee, shows hours of testimony given by both Clinton and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, sitting for separate depositions last week, and denying any prior knowledge of late sex offender Epstein’s crimes.

While neither Clinton has been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims, Bill Clinton is included in investigative files related to the sexual predator, including photos. His inclusion spurred calls for the couple’s depositions.

Here are some of the key takeaways from more than nine hours of video testimony.

In one of the most dramatic moments during Hillary Clinton’s deposition, one of her lawyers informs the room that a photo from inside the deposition room has been leaked to the public.

Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert then admits to sharing a photo from inside the room, but she said it was before the hearing began. Her photo had been shared on social media by a conservative influencer.

Clinton banged her fist on the table and said, “it doesn’t matter. We are all abiding by the same rules”.

• Who is in the Epstein files?
• Hillary Clinton tells House panel she ‘had no idea’ of Epstein’s crimes

Clinton’s lawyer points out to lawmakers in the room that her client had asked for an open hearing, which would have made it viewable in real-time to members of the public, but the committee denied that request.

“I am done,” Clinton said, standing up from her chair.

The hearing is then paused for a break and when it reconvenes, Clinton’s lawyer scolds the committee over leaking the image.

“We find it unacceptable,” Clinton’s lawyer said. “We find it unprofessional and we find it unfair. We are looking forward to this being conducted under the rules and being conducted consistent with expectations.”

Several hours into the hearing, Republican Lauren Boebert brought up the issue of “Pizzagate” – a debunked conspiracy theory that a paedophilia ring linked to Hillary Clinton’s inner circle was operating out of a Washington DC pizzeria.

After a bit of back and forth between Clinton’s lawyer and Boebert about what exactly the lawmaker is asking, Boebert clarified that she is asking if Clinton has reviewed any Epstein files that reference “Pizzagate”. All the while, the former secretary of state looks on perplexed.

“Pizzagate was totally made up. It was an outrageous allegation that ended up hurting a number of people,” Clinton answered, adding, “I can’t believe you’re even referencing it.”

• The saga of ‘Pizzagate’: The fake story that shows how conspiracy theories spread

Boebert asked a few more questions about Pizzagate, which Clinton’s lawyers objected to.

Another Republican lawmaker Eric Burlison said he’d like to begin his questioning with some “light-hearted questions”.

He said that businessman and financier Laurance Rockefeller spearheaded an effort to get government files about UFOs declassified under Bill Clinton’s presidency. He then said that while Hillary Clinton was running for president, one of her advisers publicly said she would release those UFO files if elected.

Congressman Burlison then asks Clinton if she’s pleased now that these files may be released. Last month, Trump directed US government to prepare a release of files on UFOs and aliens.

Clinton answered that she is pleased, adding: “I think whatever can be disclosed should be disclosed”.

In the middle of his hours-long deposition, Bill Clinton is asked whether Donald Trump should be compelled to testify.

“That’s for you to decide,” he said. “But he did know him well.”

Clinton recounted a conversation with Trump around 2002 or 2003 about Jeffrey Epstein. “[Trump] never said anything to me to make me think he was involved in anything improper… He just said: ‘We were friends and then we had a falling out over a land deal.’ That’s all.”

The exchange, Clinton said, took place at Trump’s golf course during a fundraiser.

Trump, he said, must have known that Clinton had previously flown on Epstein’s plane.

He said that Trump told him: “We’ve had some great times over the years. But we fell out. All because of a real estate deal.'”

Clinton is asked if he recalls who brought up the topic of Epstein.

“No, but I’d be shocked if I did. I just don’t do that,” he responded.

Asked if Trump elaborated on his times shared with Epstein, Clinton said Trump did not put any “sexual spin on” the conversation.

The congressman said the public wants the “context” and “details” of the image.

“I don’t think I ever knew the photo was taken,” Clinton said, adding he’s “almost sure” it was shot in Brunei at the end of a “long” Asia trip.

“The Sultan of Brunei was a man I had gotten to know well in my eight years as president,” he recalled, explaining the leader had offered to help the Clinton Global Initiative and suggested a hotel.

He said, “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 said with a chuckle.

Asked about the other person in the photo, whose identity is edited out by the justice department, Clinton twice said: “I don’t know who that is”.

“I sat in the hot tub for five minutes, or whatever it was, and I got up and went to bed,” he said.

Pressed on whether any sexual activity occurred that night or with that person in the hot tub, he answered no and shook his head.

Several other photos released by the justice department appear to be taken at the same hotel. They show others – whose faces are redacted – in the hot tub and pool area and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s co-conspirator who is currently serving prison time.

In his opening remarks to the House Oversight Committee, Bill Clinton can be seen in the video denying that he knew of any wrongdoing by Epstein. He said that he hopes his involvement in the Epstein investigation will “prevent something like this from happening again”.

Clinton said firmly that he was only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein, and that their relationship “ended years before his crimes came to light”.

He also shared his concerns for Epstein’s victims.

Clinton’s links to Epstein have been well-known for years but the former president has repeatedly said their connection was only due to charity work.

At one point in his deposition, Bill Clinton is asked whether Trump should pardon or grant clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking victims for Epstein.

“I don’t think I should comment on that,” Bill Clinton said.

“This was really hard for me when it came out,” he said, referring to Maxwell’s arrest, while noting he was “friendly” with Maxwell.

• How Ghislaine Maxwell brought Bill Clinton into Epstein’s orbit

“I was sad. But it was terrible what she did and she should be punished,” Bill Clinton said. “Somebody besides me should make a decision on what it is.”

Documents released by the US justice department related to their investigations into Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes don’t show any direct messages between Clinton and Epstein. But, both men were the subject of messages between Maxwell and Clinton’s top aide, Doug Band.

Emails between the pair from 2002 to 2004 show a cosy relationship, rife with flattery