How many times did Bill Clinton fly on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane and what were the trip purposes?
Executive summary
Available reporting shows former President Bill Clinton flew multiple times on Jeffrey Epstein’s planes in 2002–2003; counts in published sources vary from “several” or “multiple” to specific tallies like 26 or 27 flights, and major outlets and fact-checkers say those trips were for Foundation work or speaking engagements and included Secret Service or staff on most legs [1] [2] [3]. Sources also agree there is no flight‑log evidence that Clinton flew to Epstein’s private Caribbean island [1] [4] [5].
1. How many flights do the records show? — Numbers vary depending on counting method
Different outlets and document releases report different totals: FactCheck.org recounts earlier reporting that Clinton was on an Epstein plane “26 times” across six trips between Feb. 9, 2002, and Nov. 4, 2003, noting that some trips had multiple stops so the flight count rises [1]. Other reporting and summaries cite figures like “27 times” in earlier flight‑record summaries [6] or say simply “several” or “multiple” flights as part of Clinton Foundation travel in 2002–2003 [3] [7]. The variation reflects differences in whether sources count individual flight legs, entire multi-stop trips, or entries that are partially illegible [1] [2].
2. Where and why did those flights take place? — Foundation work, paid speaking tours and international travel
Reporting repeatedly characterizes the trips as tied to Clinton Foundation work or paid speaking engagements: flight logs and contemporaneous statements say the former president’s international travel on Epstein’s planes included stops in Asia, Africa and Europe for Clinton Foundation or humanitarian purposes and speaking tours [2] [3] [7]. Specific destinations cited in news reports include Syria/Siberia, Morocco, China and Armenia among other exotic stops mentioned in flight log accounts [2] [4]. Media accounts note that passengers such as Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker were on some trips described as Foundation‑related [4].
3. Security detail and staff presence — Most entries show Secret Service or aides
Multiple reports stress that most of the logged flights including Clinton showed Secret Service or staff on board; in some instances pilot notes omitted the detail but most entries did indicate protective agents accompanying him [2] [1] [5]. That is the Clinton camp’s long-standing claim: that the former president traveled with official protections and Foundation staff, not alone with Epstein [1] [7].
4. Did any logs place Clinton on flights to Epstein’s private island? — No flight‑log evidence of Virgin Islands trips
Major fact‑checking and reporting consistently state that none of the available flight logs list Clinton as a passenger on flights bound for Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands property; FactCheck.org and other outlets say there is “no evidence” in the flight logs that Clinton flew to Epstein’s island [1] [4] [5]. That point has been repeatedly emphasized by journalists and by Clinton’s spokespeople.
5. Why do counts and narratives still ignite controversy? — Incomplete records, political motives, and differing interpretations
Discrepancies in totals arise from how counts are made (individual legs vs. trips), partially illegible log entries, and continuing releases of documents that change context [1] [8]. Political actors also use the numbers selectively: the White House and Republicans have highlighted higher counts to press investigations, while Clinton’s defenders emphasize the stated purposes (Foundation work) and the absence of island trips or accusations of criminal misconduct tied to these flights [9] [7]. Independent fact‑checks and DOJ memos cited in reporting caution against assuming presence on logs equals criminality; Newsweek and DOJ summaries note the flight logs and “black book” contain many high‑profile names but do not equate to convictions [3] [7].
6. What don’t available sources say? — Limits of the published record
Available sources do not provide a single uncontested master count that reconciles every flight‑leg entry, nor do they document any criminal allegation against Clinton tied to these flights; sources say no survivor has accused Clinton of criminal misconduct related to Epstein and the flight logs do not place him on Virgin Islands‑bound planes [7] [1]. Congressional releases and later disclosures (including emails and logs posted in 2025) continue to be parsed but do not, in the cited reporting, produce a definitive contrary record [8] [3].
Bottom line: contemporaneous flight logs and media reporting document numerous trips by Clinton on Epstein’s aircraft in 2002–2003—counts commonly cited range in the mid‑20s when counting flight legs—but reporting and official statements characterize those trips as Foundation or speaking travel with staff and Secret Service present, and none of the cited flight records show Clinton flying to Epstein’s Caribbean island [1] [2] [3].