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What public statements have Clinton and Trump made about their sexual histories or rumors?
Executive summary
Donald Trump has publicly discussed and apologized for the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape in which he boasted about groping women, and he has repeatedly called allegations against him a “hoax” while pushing investigations into others’ ties to Jeffrey Epstein; his public remarks and campaign posts have repeatedly tried to deflect to Bill Clinton and the Clintons’ alleged Epstein connections [1] [2]. Bill Clinton’s public statements, via spokespeople, have denied wrongdoing and stressed that released Epstein-era emails “prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing,” while Clinton has been repeatedly scrutinized for past affairs (notably the Monica Lewinsky matter) though he has not been accused in the Epstein criminal case in current reporting [3] [4] [5].
1. Trump’s admissions, apologies and repeated denials: the “Access Hollywood” moment and its aftermath
Donald Trump publicly addressed the 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording—where he said “Grab ’em by the pussy”—with an apology in October 2016 saying “I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize,” but that episode has remained a central public record cited as evidence of his coarse remarks about women and has been framed by critics as describing sexual assault [1]. Beyond that tape, Trump has consistently labeled accusations connecting him to Jeffrey Epstein and other sex‑abuse allegations as a “hoax” and “distraction,” while his campaign and allies have disputed or dismissed civil claims and media reports [6] [1].
2. Trump’s strategy of counter-accusation: pressing DOJ probes into Clinton and others
As new documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in 2025, Trump publicly called for Department of Justice and FBI investigations into Bill Clinton’s alleged ties with Epstein and into other institutions named in the emails, using Truth Social and other venues to demand probes and to shift scrutiny away from himself [2] [4]. Reuters and other outlets report Trump sought to use the releases to focus attention on Clinton and organizations like JPMorgan, citing the newly unsealed emails [3] [7].
3. Clinton’s camp: categorical denials and invoked documentary “proof”
Bill Clinton’s office and spokespeople have responded to the Epstein document releases by saying the materials show he “did nothing and knew nothing,” a line publicized on social media by Clinton’s deputy chief of staff in reaction to the trove of Epstein-era emails [3] [4]. Current reporting also emphasizes that, while Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane and had social contacts with Epstein, the former president “has never been accused of any wrongdoing in the scandal” in those accounts [4].
4. How older sexual‑history controversies shape the rhetoric
The public conversation around both men is shaped by prior high‑profile incidents: Trump’s long list of sexual‑misconduct allegations and public statements about women—including the 1994 Primetime Live clip and other remarks—fed media narratives that his words amount to condoning rough treatment of women [1]. Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment over an affair with Monica Lewinsky remains a touchstone for questions about his private conduct; the Lewinsky case’s legal and rhetorical history (including Clinton’s technical defense about the definition of “sexual relations”) resurfaces when people interpret new revelations or jokes that reference “Bubba” [5].
5. Social media, leaks and the spread of speculative claims
After portions of Epstein’s files were released, emails and a brief note mentioning “Bubba” prompted viral speculation—some pieces of social media and fringe outlets suggested or joked about sexual acts between Trump and Clinton; mainstream outlets and fact‑checkers warned that these claims are speculative and that context is missing or that items are being misread or framed for attention [8] [9] [10]. Reporting notes that jokes, ambiguous references, and AI‑altered images have added to public confusion and fueled conspiratorial interpretations [5] [10].
6. Where reporting is clear — and where it is not
Contemporary sources establish that: (a) Trump publicly apologized for the Access Hollywood tape and denies criminality while calling allegations a “hoax” [1] [6]; (b) Trump has publicly demanded DOJ probes into Clinton and others based on Epstein materials [2] [4]; (c) Clinton’s team has denied wrongdoing and pointed to documents they say exonerate him [3] [4]. Available sources do not mention any authoritative confirmation that Trump and Bill Clinton had a sexual relationship; such claims in social media and some outlets remain speculative or debunked/qualified by fact‑checkers [8] [10] [5].
7. Bottom line for readers: separating public record from rumor
The public record contains admissions, apologies and numerous allegations about Trump’s statements and behavior; it contains longstanding admissions/controversies about Bill Clinton (Lewinsky) and firm denials concerning Epstein‑era documents. Readers should treat viral social‑media claims—especially those hinging on short, ambiguous email snippets or edited images—with caution and prioritize mainstream reporting and fact‑checks that either corroborate or explicitly refute sensational claims [1] [5] [10].