Hillary Clinton's surprising comment about Bill’s affair with Monica Lewinsky
While speaking about her husband’s presidential affair with then-22-year-old Monic Lewinsky, Hillary Clinton provided an unexpected answer.
During an interview with Sunday Morning in the US, Mrs Clinton claimed that Bill Clinton’s affair wasn’t an abuse of power because Lewinsky “was an adult”.
The response of the former First Lady was surprising considering her passion for championing gender equality and that her 2016 presidential campaign focused on her becoming the first female president if elected.
When asked if her husband should’ve resigned the presidency after the affair was exposed, Mrs Clinton replied: “Absolutely not”.
Pressed on whether it had been an abuse of power, as the president couldn’t have a consensual relationship with an intern, Mrs Clinton held her stance, reiterating that Lewinsky was old enough at the time.
Mr Clinton was 49 years old when the affair took place.
Mrs Clinton then focused on President Donald Trump, who has been accused of sexually assaulting several women before the 2016 election.
“Let me ask you this: Where’s the investigation of the current incumbent, against whom numerous allegations have been made and which he dismisses, denies and ridicules?” Mrs Clinton said.
Regarding her husband’s affair, she said: “So there was an investigation, and it — as I believe — came out in the right place.”
The US House voted to impeach Mr Clinton for an obstruction of justice and lying under oath, however, the US Senate later acquitted him and he remained as president.
Despite the spotlight that has been placed on sexual misconduct with campaigns such as #MeToo, Mrs Clinton believes sexism is still rampant in politics.
Mrs Clinton believes sexism, as well as the investigation into her e-mails and Russian election meddling, were the reasons for her loss to Mr Trump.
“If you watched the way Trump debated me, it was just imbued with sexism. Making fun of me for preparing. Well, you know, that’s the old, like, ‘Oh, yeah, the girl in the class who’s always prepared. I don’t need to be prepared,’” Mrs Clinton said.
During the 2016 election, Access Hollywood leaked a damning video where Mr Trump could be heard bragging about grabbing women’s genitalia.
Mr Trump responded to the footage by holding a press conference with several women who accused Mr Clinton of sexual misconduct and accused Mrs Clinton of trying to silence them.
However, Mrs Clinton said she played “no role” in silencing the women who accused her husband.
“No role,” Mrs Clinton said. “I take responsibility for my life and my actions.”