HAPPENING NOW: Hillary Clinton Testifying in Epstein Probe “I Had No Idea About Their Criminal Activities”

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: HAPPENING NOW: Hillary Clinton Testifying in Epstein Probe “I Had No Idea About Their Criminal Activities”

Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes (iHeartPodcasts)

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Overview

This urgent episode covers the breaking news of Hillary Clinton’s private congressional testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities. With the press and public excluded, Clinton’s team releases her detailed opening statement, shifting the focus from her alleged involvement to a broader critique of political theatre, institutional failures, and the committee's priorities.

Throughout the episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes analyze the statement, its context, and its larger implications, acknowledging both partisan reactions and widespread public frustration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context & Setting of the Testimony

• Clinton's Demand for Transparency:
  • Clinton and her husband Bill requested a public hearing for maximum transparency, but their depositions are conducted privately in Chappaqua, NY, near their home. The video is expected to be released at a later date.
    • Amy Robach [02:58]: “Hillary Clinton is being deposed in Chappaqua near her home. And she released on Instagram her opening statement to the committee... pretty smart move.”
• Unique Political Moment:
  • This marks a historic deposition of a former president (Bill Clinton, scheduled next) and first lady—an event the Republican-led committee had long pursued.
    • T.J. Holmes [03:55]: "Obviously, the politics of this robes any Republican. I guess your holy grail is a chance to get the Clintons under oath."

2. Breakdown of Hillary Clinton’s Opening Statement

• Categorical Denial:

  • Clinton reiterates she has no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, never met him, nor flew on his plane or visited his properties.
    • Amy Robach quoting Clinton [06:24]:

      “I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”

  • T.J. Holmes remarks on her emphatic denial:
    • T.J. Holmes [06:07]: “I do not feel like a mic drop moment. Like I expect her to just get up and walk out right then...”

• Criticism of the Committee’s Focus:

  • Clinton accuses the committee of partisan grandstanding and neglecting survivors.
    • Amy Robach quoting Clinton [05:28]:

      “Too often congressional investigations are partisan political theater, which is an abdication of duty and an insult to the American people.”

  • She accuses the investigation of targeting her and neglecting others actually named in the Epstein files.
    • Amy Robach [06:24]:

      “You have made little effort to call the people who show up most prominently in Epstein files. And when you did, not a single Republican member showed up for Les Wexner's deposition.”

• Championing Survivors' Needs:

  • Clinton expresses empathy for the survivors, highlighting her record on human trafficking and lambasting the alleged failures of both the Justice Department and current (Trump) administration.
    • Amy Robach quoting Clinton [09:00]:

      “My heart breaks for the survivors and I am furious on their behalf. I have spent my life advocating for women and girls... these have been largely invisible crimes or not treated as crimes at all. But the survivors are real and they are entitled to better.”

  • T.J. Holmes notes the rarity of powerful figures actually focusing on survivors in this debate.
    • T.J. Holmes [09:26]: “That is, that is more than we are hearing from a lot of folks in power about these survivors and about this case...”

• Call for Accountability and Real Investigation:

  • Clinton suggests that the committee, if serious, should subpoena current officials and stop protecting political interests—particularly referencing President Trump.
    • T.J. Holmes [10:53]: “This committee, if you were serious, you would demand that Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi testify about why this administration is abandoning survivors and playing into the hands of traffickers.”
    • Amy Robach [10:53]: “She goes on to say what could have been done and what should have been done. So she says, but that's not happening. Instead, you have compelled me to testify, but fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up, despite legitimate calls for answers.”*

3. The Statement’s Concluding Challenge

• Direct Challenge to the Committee:
  • Clinton’s closing is a pointed challenge for the panel to focus on facts, prioritize survivors, and pursue non-partisan investigations.
    • T.J. Holmes [18:17]: “If the committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement. It would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.”
    • Amy Robach quoting Clinton [18:48]:

      “My challenge to you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee is the same challenge I put to myself throughout my long service to this nation. How to be worthy of the trust the American people have given you... They expect you to use your power to get to the truth and to do more to help survivors of Epstein's crimes as well as the millions more who are victims of sex trafficking.”

  • Robach summarizes:
    • Amy Robach [18:48]: “That was a mic dropping opening statement where she really did put them on notice. I know nothing. You aren't asking the right people the right questions. And this is political theory theater, period.”

4. Reaction and Public Discourse

• Fact-checking and Rumors:

  • The hosts address misinformation online, particularly claims about Hillary Clinton’s connections, emphasizing Ghislaine Maxwell—not Epstein—was at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.
    • Amy Robach [20:25]: “Her name isn't in any document that I have seen. So this is. It doesn't really make any sense.”
    • T.J. Holmes [21:05]: “Ghislaine was there as the date of a friend of the family, right? Yeah, she was there as an aside. She wasn't even direct. So I'm not, I'm not trying to defend. Nobody's defending...”

• Frustration with the State of Politics:

  • Both hosts express exasperation at the spectacle, broader governmental dysfunction, and the lack of actionable progress in the investigation.
    • T.J. Holmes [21:22]: “We're annoyed as Americans. This is what we're doing this week. People getting kicked out of State of the Union addresses, people hooting and hollering, oh, yes, the government is still fucking shut down. Sorry about that...”
    • Amy Robach [21:52]: “About what?... Hillary Clinton is going to be fine. She's going to hold her own and she's going to say exactly what she needs to say to defend herself, even though there really is. There is nothing to defend from anything that has been released from any suggestion...”

• Why Target Clinton?

  • Both admit no credible evidence ties Clinton to Epstein, while far more relevant individuals remain uncalled.
    • T.J. Holmes [22:37]: “You can right now, at the top of your head, name 10 to 15 people who are more eligible to be subpoenaed... Clearly they know more than she does. Why her?”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On partisanship:
  “Too often congressional investigations are partisan political theater, which is an abdication of duty and an insult to the American people.”
  — Hillary Clinton (read by Amy Robach) [05:28]

• Categorical denial:
  “I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”
  — Hillary Clinton (read by Amy Robach) [06:24]

• Empathy for survivors:
  “My heart breaks for the survivors and I am furious on their behalf... But the survivors are real and they are entitled to better.”
  — Hillary Clinton (read by Amy Robach) [09:00]

• Call for accountability:
  “If the committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement. It would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files.”
  — Hillary Clinton (read by T.J. Holmes) [18:17]

• Summary on political theater:
  “That was a mic dropping opening statement where she really did put them on notice. I know nothing. You aren't asking the right people the right questions. And this is political theory theater, period.”
  — Amy Robach [18:48]

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Important Timestamps

• 02:16 — Overview and setup: Clinton’s testimony, nature of proceedings
• 05:28 — Clinton’s opening statement: critique of partisan investigations
• 06:24 — Categorical denial of knowledge or involvement with Epstein
• 09:00 — Clinton’s empathy for survivors and critique of the system
• 10:53 — Committee’s alleged failures and suggestions for action
• 18:17 — Clinton’s final challenge and focus on facts over theater
• 20:25 — Reaction to online rumors and fact-checking connections
• 21:22 — Hosts’ frustration with political spectacle and dysfunction
• 22:37 — Questioning the rationale for subpoenaing Clinton over more relevant figures

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Tone and Language

The conversation is urgent and incisive but carries a sense of weariness with political spectacle. Both Amy and T.J. push back against rumor and partisanship, favoring facts, direct quotes, and a survivor-forward perspective. The mood alternates between analytical, incredulous, and—at times—exasperated by the state of American politics and media discourse.

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Summary

This episode deftly unpacks Hillary Clinton’s testimony in the Epstein probe, foregrounding her emphatic denials, rebuke of partisan grandstanding, and call for meaningful action on behalf of survivors. Robach and Holmes contextualize the event within a broader climate of political dysfunction, misinformation, and public frustration, questioning the purpose of targeting Clinton when so many more connected individuals remain unexamined. The episode serves as a fact-checked, survivor-centric antidote to Internet rumor and cable news spectacle, highlighting both the historic nature and the frustrating spectacle of the moment.

Transcript

[Amy Robach]

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[Jill Winterstein]

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[Jill Winterstein]

Hi, it's Jill Winterstein, host of the Spirit Daughter podcast, where we talk about astrology, natal charts, and how to step into your most vibrant life. And today I'm talking with my dear friend Chris Krista Williams.

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[T.J. Holmes]

Sometimes AT&T business Wireless Connecting changes everything. Hey there, folks. It is Thursday, February 26th, and as we speak, the former first lady of the United States, former senator, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is under oath and testifying before a House committee about Jeffrey Epstein. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ Ropes. She's testifying and she's made clear she knows nothing. And we're going to let everybody hear Ropes. The cameras aren't in there, Press isn't in there. But she made sure she got a message out before she went in there.

[Amy Robach]

And you know, this is so interesting because we know that both Hillary and Bill Clinton resisted not being subpoenaed or telling what they know, but resisted this style of deposition. It is private, it is in closed doors. Yes. It is being recorded. And we're hearing from Comer, who is the head of the Oversight Committee, that it will be released eventually. But they wanted this out in the open. They wanted a public hearing if they were going to testify. They wanted the world to watch as they were testifying. And I understand why. So, so instead now, yes, Hillary Clinton is being deposed in Chappaqua near her home. And she released on Instagram her opening statement to the committee. And it is lengthy, but she gets her 2 cents known to the world before we even see that video or even get any reaction from members of this committee later after she testifies. It's a pretty smart move.

[T.J. Holmes]

She's up today. Bill Clinton is up tomorrow again under threat of contempt of Congress. They finally came around and decided they would testify. Look, they had an argument to make. You didn't make anybody else come in here and do this. Why are you giving making an exception and making us do so? Obviously, the politics of this robes any Republican. I guess your, your holy grail is a chance to get the Clintons under oath.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, they have. There have been many articles written today about Republicans salivating at the chance to actually question not only Hillary Clinton, but former President Bill Clinton. There has not been a moment in recent history or in history of our country where a former president has had to testify before Congress. And we're already hearing from some Democrats on that committee saying this opens the door to President Trump having to testify about what he knows. James Comer quickly shot that down and said a sitting president is not going to testify before Congress.

[T.J. Holmes]

Cross that bridge. And we get to it eventually. But we do want to share with you now Hillary Clinton's opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. This committee made up majority of Republicans, but it's a big committee, I think 30 plus at least on this committee, Republicans and Democrats. But they are as we speak, this is going on. We're toll robes. This will go on For a while, at least. Comer getting us set for long days of depositions. Um, but this was Hillary Clinton's. We will start from the top. It's a little over three and a half pages. But this was her opening statement, what she said to the committee, and she made sure she put this out publicly before she went in.

[Amy Robach]

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, members of the committee, As a former senator, I have respect for the legislative oversight and I expect its exercise, as do the American people, to be principled and fearless in pursuit of truth and accountability. As we all know, however, too often congressional investigations are partisan political theater, which is an abdication of duty and an insult to the American people. The committee justified its subpoena to me based on its assumption that I have information regarding the investigation. Investigations into the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Let me be as clear as I can.

[T.J. Holmes]

I do not feel like a mic drop moment. Like I expect her to just get up and walk out right then. But obviously she didn't. But she's been saying this the whole time. Ropes. She doesn't know the guy. Didn't know the guy. Couldn't remember ever meeting the guy. Why are you dragging me in here for this foolishness? Is the point she's making.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, that's the big thing. She says she doesn't recall ever meeting Jeffrey Epstein. Ever. Fairly significant. She continues, As I stated in my sworn declaration on January 13, I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that. Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes. It is unfathomable that Mr. Epstein initially got a slap on the wrist in 2008, which allowed him to continue his predatory practices for another decade. Mr. Chairman, your investigation is supposed to be assessing the federal government's handling of the investigations and prosecutions of Epstein and his crimes. You subpoenaed eight law enforcement officials, all of whom ran the Department of Justice or directed the FBI when Epstein's crimes were investigated and prosecuted. Of those eight, only one appeared before the committee. Five of the six former attorneys general were allowed to submit brief statements stating they had no information to provide. You have held zero public hearings, refused to allow the media to attend them, including today, despite espousing the need for transparency. On dozens of occasions, you have made little effort to call the people who show up most prominently in Epstein files. And when you did, not a single Republican member showed up for Les Wexner's deposition.

[T.J. Holmes]

She's calling them out from the very beginning. Now we are reading this and you're hearing it this way. Ropes. I wonder what her tone is. I would have loved for this to be public and look as they, they are salivating. Clinton is under oath. These name a more battle tested, scandal tested group of individuals on planet earth than the Clintons.

[Amy Robach]

They know how to handle. They do just about anyone or any line of questioning. And yes, I, I don't know when this video is going to be released, but certainly this is going to be huge for people to be able to see exactly what is going on right now as we record this, her opening statement continues.

[T.J. Holmes]

This next line is very, very important.

[Amy Robach]

This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official. Who could she be referring to rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors as well as the public who also want to get to the bottom of this matter. My heart breaks for the survivors and I am furious on their behalf. I have spent my life advocating for women and girls. I have worked hard to stop the terrible abuses so many women and girls face here and around the world, including human trafficking, forced labor and sexual slavery. For too long, these have been largely invisible crimes or not treated as crimes at all. But the survivors are real and they are entitled to better.

[T.J. Holmes]

Huh? That is, that is more than we are hearing from a lot of folks in power about these survivors and about this case. I mean, every time you hear Epstein files, it's feels almost rare that survivor or victim is mentioned. You hear Trump's name, you hear this official's name, you hear Larry Summers, you hear Bill Gates, you hear all these things and what's happening to them, what's happening to these guys. And you really don't rope. She's. Look, she, she goes on from what you're talking about and talks about her record of, of combating human trafficking and her p. She's had 50 years in public service now. So she goes through and talks about some of that stuff robes. But she says it's clear as well that combating human trafficking is no longer an American priority under the Trump White House. She says, quote, this is a tragedy, it's a scandal. It deserves vigorous investigation and oversight. A committee endeavoring to stop human trafficking would seek to understand what specific steps are needed to fix a system that allowed Epstein to get away with his crimes in 2008. She goes through and lists here a bunch of suggestions. You could do this. You should have done this. You could have been doing this. You could have been doing this. And something she said, this committee, if you were serious, you would demand that Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi testify about why this administration is abandoning survivors and playing into the hands of traffickers. Robert, this was smart, was it?

[Amy Robach]

Not very smart. Not only is she saying, I don't know anything about Epstein, she goes on to say what she did do to try and stop human trafficking in this country and around the world, and then tells the committee, if they really are serious about protecting victims, all the different things they should have done. One of them was interesting. It would. They said it would ensure that the lawful redactions of those files protected the victims and survivors, not powerful men and political allies. That has been a huge, huge criticism that the Department of Justice did a terrible job at redacting the names of some of these victims who then were outed for the first time in decades. Suddenly, now they're getting calls from the media, they're getting pressure, and, you know, people who didn't know, suddenly they're thrust into the spotlight were. Whereas they were very careful to make sure lots of names were redacted of powerful men. And certain files to this day, we reported earlier today, are missing, conveniently, that may implicate other powerful men, AKA President Trump. So she goes on to say what could have been done and what should have been done. So she says, but that's not happening. Instead, you have compelled me to testify, but fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up, despite legitimate calls for answers.

[T.J. Holmes]

All right. And we are keeping an eye on what's happening in, of all places, Chappaqua. The performing arts center that they have there is the location that they decided on to do this. No, the Clintons are not in D.C. that wasn't a part of the deal and the plan that was made. So they're doing this close to their home. But stay here. When we come back, we will let you hear. Now, what were the last four lines of her statement? And you thought she was going in on the committee before? Well, she really did not hold back in these last statements. Can you imagine what's going on in that room right now? Hillary Clinton testifying. Stay here.

[Jill Winterstein]

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[Hans Charles]

Welcome to the A building. I'm Hans Charles.

[Inalec Lumumba]

I'm inalec Lumumba. It's 1969. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr have both been assassinated in black America was at a breaking point. Rioting and protest broke out on an

[Hans Charles]

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The FBI had a role in the murder of a Black Panther leader in Chicago.

[Inalec Lumumba]

This story is about protest. It echoes in today's world far more than it should. And it will blow your mind.

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[Ben Higgins]

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[Amy Robach]

Welcome back everyone as we record this episode of Amy and tj Former Secretary of State, former first lady, former senator from New York, Hillary Clinton is testifying before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York. She is being deposed. It is being recorded on on video that we are told will one day be released. We're not sure when, but certainly there is a gaggle of press outside of that performing arts center where she is currently being questioned by members of that committee. Both it's Republican led for both Republicans and Democrats on that committee and she and her husband who will be testifying tomorrow. Former President Bill Clinton asked that these hearings be open to the public, that there be transparency, that members of the media be invited in. They wanted this to be public. They didn't get their wish. They are being deposed privately. But Hillary Clinton released a statement what her opening statement is to members of this committee and we have it here for you. And we will finish with what former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the committee before she began answering questions.

[T.J. Holmes]

This is how she wrapped up her opening statement here. If the committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement. It would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files. If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected and why the COVID up?

[Amy Robach]

My challenge to you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee is the same challenge I put to myself throughout my long service to this nation. How to be worthy of the trust the American people have given you. They expect statesmanship, not gamesmanship, leading, not grandstanding. They expect you to use your power to get to the truth and to do more to help survivors of Epstein's crimes as well as the millions more who are victims of sex trafficking. That was a mic dropping opening statement where she really did put them on notice. I know nothing. You aren't asking the right people the right questions. And this is political theory theater, period.

[T.J. Holmes]

A lot of people do believe, I mean, fair minded people can see maybe what this is. But again, we're split so much in this country. There are folks on one side salivating, folks on the other side upset, and then folks in the middle, which is most of us just shaking our heads like, really this is happening. This why this gets nothing. It gets nothing. To the survivors, it's give nothing. To the victims. It does what to haul this lady in. Look, I know this is high stakes politics, Robes, and there are people sitting out there who firmly, strongly, sincerely believe that Hillary Clinton. They really believe, and you can really believe that Hillary Clinton is some way complicit in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes or she has information right now that could help somebody get more information than they have already about Epstein. Hillary Clinton's the key.

[Amy Robach]

Her name isn't in any document that I have seen. So this is. It doesn't really make any sense. Now it's interesting. She put this opening statement on her Instagram and I just happened to see one of the first comments off to the side was saying, of course you said you didn't know him. He was at your daughter's wedding. There are pictures of you with him. That's completely not true. Ghislaine Maxwell was at Chelsea Clinton's.

[T.J. Holmes]

I beg y', all, I beg you, beg you, beg you people, please do not take people things. People are just saying stuff. It's factually wrong. And somebody's going to read that Robes and has no idea that that's wrong. And they go, ooh, she's lying. Epstein was. He was not.

[Amy Robach]

He was not.

[T.J. Holmes]

Ghislaine was there as the date of a friend of the family, right? Yeah, she was there as an aside. She wasn't even direct. So I'm not, I'm not trying to defend. Nobody's defending, defending that stuff or defending Hillary Clinton. She doesn't need it, by the way.

[Amy Robach]

No, she doesn't.

[T.J. Holmes]

But Robes, this is. We're annoyed as Americans. This is what we're doing this week. People getting kicked out of State of the Union addresses, people hooting and hollering, oh, yes, the government is still fucking shut down. Sorry about that. We've been warned about profanity. Sorry about that, y'. All. Sorry, sorry, sorry. But robes. The week we've had and everything going on, there's a partial shutdown and a woman who they all even admit was not caught up in this. Let's haul her in.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. And let's have James Comer go in front of that gaggle of press outside of the Performing Arts center in Chappaqua and tell reporters this is going to be a long video and a long deposition. About what? I mean, clearly we know her from her time in office, but also just from that opening statement. Hillary Clinton is going to be fine. She's going to hold her own and she's going to say exactly what she needs to say to defend herself, even though there really is. There is nothing to defend from anything that has been released from any suggestion. I haven't heard anyone point the finger at her, period. So this. If there is no.

[T.J. Holmes]

That's true.

[Amy Robach]

If there's no document, if there's no mention of her, what then is the reason for bringing her in?

[T.J. Holmes]

You can right now, at the top of your head, name 10 to 15 people who are more eligible to be subpoenaed. And we've at least Larry Summers, Bill Gates. That's even this week. That's fresh off top of mind. Clearly they know more than she does. Why her?

[Amy Robach]

Obviously. Yes.

[T.J. Holmes]

So, okay, it's politics. Why are we acting like we. Okay, it's fine. It's politics. But this is going on right now. We'll keep an eye. I don't know how much we'll get from this today at least, but she put this out. We'll keep an eye on it, just like all the other reporters and networks are keeping an eye on. On a building in Chappaqua, New York. This is where we are on the Epstein investigation, folks. We appreciate you, as always, spending time with us. We'll hop back on if any more news breaks out. As always, top right corner of your Apple podcast app where you see our show page. There's a button at the top right corner that says follow click that. You can make sure all of our updates come directly to you. For Now, I am T.J. holmes. On behalf of my dear Amy Robot. We'll talk soon.

[Amy Robach]

This is an Iheart podcast.

[Jill Winterstein]

Guaranteed human.