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Fact check: How many times did Bill Clinton visit Jeffrey Epstein's island?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the available evidence, there is no credible documentation that Bill Clinton ever visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island. Multiple sources consistently report that Clinton's office has denied these visits [1], and Ghislaine Maxwell herself told Department of Justice officials that Clinton never visited the island [2].
The confusion appears to stem from Clinton's documented use of Epstein's aircraft. Clinton flew on Epstein's planes 17 times [3], with another source specifying four trips with staff in 2002 and 2003 [4]. However, these flights were to destinations such as Siberia, China, and Africa [3], not to Epstein's Caribbean island.
Maxwell's testimony to the DOJ specifically stated that Clinton had no independent relationship with Epstein outside of the plane trips [2]. Additionally, court documents indicate that Clinton "did not, in fact travel to, nor was he present on, Little St James Island between January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2003" [5]. In his recent memoir, Clinton denied visiting the island and expressed regret about ever meeting Epstein, stating "I wish I had never met him" [6].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important context about the distinction between flying on Epstein's aircraft versus visiting his island. This conflation has been a source of significant misinformation in public discourse.
Political figures like Donald Trump have made unsubstantiated claims that Clinton visited the island "28 times" without providing evidence [7]. These allegations appear to be politically motivated, as Trump and other Clinton opponents would benefit from perpetuating narratives that damage Clinton's reputation.
The question also omits the broader context of ongoing congressional investigations where both Bill and Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed [4], suggesting this remains an active area of political and legal scrutiny.
Media outlets and conspiracy theorists also benefit from maintaining public interest in these allegations, as they generate significant engagement and readership, regardless of factual accuracy.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The question itself contains an implicit assumption that Clinton did visit the island, asking "how many times" rather than "whether" he visited. This framing perpetuates unsubstantiated claims and demonstrates potential bias.
The question appears to conflate documented plane travel with unproven island visits, a common source of misinformation in discussions about the Epstein case. FactCheck.org specifically noted that there is no evidence to support claims about Clinton visiting the island [1].
The persistence of this question despite consistent denials from Clinton's office, Maxwell's testimony to federal officials, and lack of any credible evidence suggests it may be driven more by political motivations than genuine fact-finding. The question benefits those seeking to damage Clinton politically while ignoring the available evidence that contradicts the underlying premise.