Hillary Clinton Strikes Back at Trump at Powerful Presser!

Summary

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: "Hillary Clinton Strikes Back at Trump at Powerful Presser!"

Date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Guest: Coverage of Hillary Clinton’s press conference

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Overview: Hillary Clinton’s Powerful Rebuttal

This episode centers around Hillary Clinton’s recent press conference following her subpoena and deposition by MAGA Republicans regarding the Epstein files. The Meiselas brothers break down Clinton’s responses, the bizarre lines of questioning from Republican committee members, and the broader context of rightwing political maneuvering. The episode balances detailed political analysis with the podcast’s signature brotherly banter and defense of democratic norms.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Deposition: Absurd Questions and MAGA Tactics

• Context: Hillary Clinton was subpoenaed despite no evidence tying her to Epstein; the committee included figures like Lauren Boebert and James Comer.
• Unusual Questions:
  • Clinton described (02:18) being questioned about “UFOs and a series of questions about Pizzagate, one of the most vile, bogus conspiracy theories that was propagated on the Internet.”
• Rule Breaking:
  • A Republican committee member (Lauren Boebert) violated the no-camera rule, leading Clinton to challenge the process:
    • “Let's just allow the press to come in.” (01:03 Narrator paraphrasing Clinton’s remarks)
  • The hearing was paused until assurances could be made about rule compliance.

2. Clinton’s Testimony and Rebuttal

• Denial of Epstein Ties:
  • “I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices.” (02:18 Hillary Clinton)
• On Committee’s Focus:
  • Clinton highlighted that Republicans only asked meaningful questions when cameras were present, otherwise preferring to grandstand.
  • She noted Republicans skipped Les Wexner’s deposition and asked minimal relevant questions elsewhere:
    • “No Republican member ask any questions about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell to anyone else they have deposed.” (03:08 Hillary Clinton)
• Desire for Public Transparency:
  • Clinton advocated for public hearings and the release of her video deposition:
    • “I'm not going to do it again. You know, they had a chance to do it in public, and I wish they had done it in public.” (09:58 Hillary Clinton)

3. Handling Attacks Related to Bill Clinton

• Clinton answered direct press questions about her husband’s (Bill Clinton) connections to Epstein, emphasizing that contact preceded Epstein’s criminal exposure and that he was not aware of Epstein’s crimes:
  • “I am. And I think the chronology of the connection that he had with Epstein... ended years, several years before anything about Epstein's criminal activities came to life.” (08:34 Hillary Clinton)
• She affirmed her confidence that Bill Clinton would provide truthful testimony in his own deposition.

4. Ghislaine Maxwell at Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding

• Clinton clarified that Maxwell’s presence was as an uninvited “plus one” and not due to a personal invite from the family:
  • “She came as the plus one, the guest of someone who was invited.” (11:34 Hillary Clinton)

5. Clinton’s Call for Transparency

• Clinton repeatedly requested the immediate release of her deposition’s video and transcript for full public scrutiny:
  • “I don't know when the video will be out... We've asked this. They be out as quickly as possible and then you can see.” (11:55 Hillary Clinton)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Hillary Clinton Responds to Conspiracy Allegations

• On Pizzagate and UFOs:
  • “I started being asked about UFOs and a series of questions about Pizzagate, one of the most vile, bogus conspiracy theories…” (02:18 Hillary Clinton)

Duplicity and Republican Motives

• On Republican Behavior:
  • “The only questions that any Republican member asked... was of former Attorney General Bill Barr when Chairman Comer asked him about the allegations... about Russia's involvement in my election in 2016.” (03:08 Hillary Clinton)

On Rule-breaking During the Deposition

• Defending the Process:
  • “We agreed upon rules... at their demand. And one of the members violated that rule, which was very upsetting because it suggested that they might violate other of our agreements.” (05:29 Hillary Clinton)

Handling Sensationalism with Dignity

• On Bill Clinton’s Ties:
  • “I think that that is exactly what my husband will testify to tomorrow.” (08:51 Hillary Clinton)

On Ghislaine Maxwell at Chelsea’s Wedding

• Definitive Clarification:
  • “She came as the plus one, the guest of someone who was invited.” (11:34 Hillary Clinton)

On Desire for Public Disclosure

• Calling for Transparency:
  • “We've asked this. [The video and transcript] be out as quickly as possible and then you can see.” (11:55 Hillary Clinton)

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MAGA Republican Responses

James Comer Posturing

• Comer dismissed Clinton’s answers, suggesting they weren’t believable:
  • “[Clinton] acted like she had no curiosity, wasn't concerned who was in the hot tub with [Bill]... I think most Americans will find hard to believe when they watch the video.” (14:15 James Comer)

Pat Fallon’s Remarks

• Fallon admitted to the rule violation around taking photos and implied Clinton used it as a “pretext” to pause the hearing:
  • “Lauren Boebert... apologized for it. It was an unforced error, but it was going to be possibly, as you said, a pretense for Hillary to say, oh, I'm gonna leave.” (15:29 Interviewer 2)
• He also criticized Clinton’s demeanor as “icy” but failed to present substantive evidence.

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Important Timestamps

• 02:18 – Clinton addresses bizarre deposition questions (Pizzagate, UFOs)
• 03:08 – Clinton describes lack of Epstein queries for other witnesses
• 05:29 – Clinton explains the rule breach and her response
• 08:34 – Clinton answers about Bill Clinton’s connections to Epstein
• 09:58 – Clinton states she won’t sit for another deposition; calls for release of video
• 11:34 – Clarification on Ghislaine Maxwell at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding
• 14:15 – James Comer tries to cast doubt on Clinton’s testimony
• 15:29 – Pat Fallon discusses the photo incident and Clinton’s conduct

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is marked by the MeidasTouch brothers' signature blend of sharp critique, humor, and passionate defense of democratic transparency. Hillary Clinton’s tone in the clips is calm, assertive, and unwavering, even when fielding salacious or irrelevant questions. The hosts underscore the contrast between her composure and the conspiratorial, performative behavior of her Republican interrogators.

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Closing Thoughts

This episode provides a thorough, engaging breakdown of Hillary Clinton’s deft handling of a highly politicized deposition, highlighting her demand for public scrutiny and the GOP’s obsession with spectacle over substance. For listeners, it’s a compelling snapshot of current political theater—and a powerful reminder of the importance of transparency, facts, and resilience in public life.

Transcript

[Podcast Host 1]

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[Hillary Clinton]

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[Narrator/Commentator]

Terms Hillary Clinton just delivered instant karma to Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. She just wrapped up a press conference in Chappaqua. It's the town that she lives in and around upstate New York. She finished her deposition where she was called subpoenaed by the MAGA Republicans in connection with the Epstein files, even though she doesn't appear on them and never met Epstein and has no connection to Epstein, unlike people in Donald Trump's cabal. In any event, she sat for her deposition. As I talked about earlier, you had MAGA Republicans like Lauren Boebert try to take photos of her. To which Hillary Clinton said, let's just allow the press to come in. If you're going to violate all the rules that you're setting about no cameras and no whatever, let's have the whole press come and I want to do this hearing in public. Anyway. Then James Comer was like, no, no, no, no, no. Then Hillary Clinton held a press conference. It was a powerful press conference. It's vintage Hillary Clinton. She was clear, she was very specific. She punched back at these MAGA Republicans. She mocked them. It was great. Let me show you what went down moments ago as out of her deposition she talked about how weird and unusual these MAGA Republicans were behaving in the deposition and how they started talking about Pizzagate and UFOs. Let's play this clip.

[Hillary Clinton]

I don't know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices. So it's on the record numerous times. It then got, at the end quite unusual because I started being asked about UFOs and a series of questions about Pizzagate, one of the most vile, bogus conspiracy theories that was propagated on the Internet that was serving as the basis of a member's questions to me.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Next, Hillary Clinton talked about an exchange that she thought was one of the most interesting exchanges of the deposition. Let's play this clip.

[Hillary Clinton]

I can only say that the best exchange that I had came at the very end, when, contrary to every other deposition they have taken, no Republican member ask any questions about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell to anyone else they have deposed. And in fact, the Republican members didn't even show up for the deposition of Les Wexner. And when I said that, I had to point out that the only questions that any Republican member asked of any of the people they proposed was of former Attorney General Bill Barr when Chairman Comer asked him about the allegations, in his view, about Russia's involvement in my election in 2016. Team. So at the very end of this hearing, after I made that point, I want to commend Chairman Comer for raising a series of significant questions that I responded to about the nature of the investigation and the areas that I thought should be explored. So I appreciated that.

[Podcast Host 2]

I

[Hillary Clinton]

want to see the truth come out. So that was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Next, Hillary Clinton talked about how these MAGA Republicans, the Congress members who were there, who didn't bother going to Les Wexner's deposition or, you know, don't bother asking anyone else questions about Epstein in order to cover up for Donald Trump. She's like, look, we agreed to rules that they wanted, and they started violating them. So I'm like, let's just let the press in here. Play this clip.

[Podcast Host 1]

Hello, everybody.

[Podcast Host 2]

Hello.

[Hillary Clinton]

Good evening. Well, I have just finished testifying. I answered every one of their questions as fully as I could based on what I knew. And what I knew is what I said in my statement this morning. I never met Jeffrey Epstein, never had any connection or communication with him. I knew Ghislaine Maxwell casually as an acquaintance, but whatever they asked me, I did my very best to respond. It was disappointing that they refused to hold a public hearing so I wouldn't have to be out here characterizing it for you. You could have seen it for yourself. We had asked for that. We think it would have been better for the committee and its efforts to gather whatever information they are seeking. We had a bit of a challenge in the beginning because we agreed upon rules based on the fact it was going to be a closed hearing at their demand. And one of the members violated that rule, which was very upsetting because it suggested that they might violate other of our agreements. So we had to cease the hearing for a period of time until we could get assurances that no rules would be broken going forward. And we returned to answer questions repetitively, literally over and over again. I don't know how many times I had to say, I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes. I never went to his offices. So it's on the record. Numerous times

[Narrator/Commentator]

she talks about what she's asked. She answers every question from the press. They ask her, well, how do you process the fact that your husband, Bill Clinton is referenced in the Epstein files? Okay, so, okay, you're. You're going after Hillary Clinton for. For her husband. Okay, well, if that's the case, why don't you ask Melania all these questions? Because Donald Trump's like the lead character in the Epstein bombs. But anyway, watch Hillary Clinton answer this question with dignity. Let's play this clip.

[Hillary Clinton]

You spoke in your opening remarks about

[Podcast Host 1]

how heartbroken you have been for the Epstein survivors as these files have come out. Can you talk to us a little bit about how you have processed and reacted to the fact that the former president, your husband, Bill Clinton, is referenced in the Epstein files numerous times, including in some photos featuring women? And how have you been personally preparing for the deposition that is coming tomorrow? Are you 100% confident that there isn't anything that the former president knows about Epstein's crimes?

[Hillary Clinton]

I am. And I think the chronology of the connection that he had with Epstein, Epstein ended years, several years before anything about Epstein's criminal activities came to life.

[Interviewer 1]

Life.

[Hillary Clinton]

And that he was charged and sadly given a sweetheart deal, which, as I said in my statement, had that not happened, perhaps his predatory behavior could have been stopped earlier. But I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of people who had contact with him before his criminal pleas in 08 were like most people. They did not know what he was doing. And I. I think that that is exactly what my husband will testify to tomorrow.

[Narrator/Commentator]

So then she's asked, do you still want to testify publicly even though you gave this deposition? She's like, I'm not doing this again. Talking about, I offered to do it publicly. I'm doing it. Once they had the opportunity to do it in public. I want this tape released. We can release the video deposition right away. Here, play this clip.

[Hillary Clinton]

Do you believe this was a fair hearing and do you still want to testify publicly even though you gave this deposition? Well, I'm not going to do it again. You know, they had a chance to do it in public, and I wish they had done it in public. And I think they're making the wrong decision, avoiding doing it in public. I thought it was very repetitive. I thought that they asked literally the same questions over and over again, which didn't seem to me to be very productive. And then, as I said, toward the end, there were other questions that were totally off subject. So if, if they are going to fulfill their responsibilities to literally investigate the investigations, which is what they originally said was the scope of their work, I think they could have spent the day more productively.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Next, the reporter asks why Ghislaine Maxwell was invited to Chelsea's wedding. And Hillary's like, she wasn't. She wasn't. She was somebody's plus one that Chelsea invited, and we didn't know that she was even going to be there. Gotcha. What a. What a gotcha moment. Here, play this clip. From Sky News. Can I ask, why was Colleen Maxwell

[Hillary Clinton]

invited to the daughter of Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010?

[Interviewer 2]

She'd already been mentioned in a civil

[Narrator/Commentator]

lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre before that.

[Interviewer 2]

Jeffrey Epstein had already been convicted for.

[Hillary Clinton]

For them, she came as the plus one, the guest of someone who was invited.

[Narrator/Commentator]

And then Hillary Clinton says, I don't know when the video is going to come out there, but I want it out as soon as possible. Let's play it.

[Podcast Host 1]

What message does it say that President

[Hillary Clinton]

I don't know when the video will be out. I don't know when the transcript will be out. We've asked this. They be out as quickly as possible and then you can see.

[Podcast Host 1]

We heard from Bill Gates, concerns about

[Hillary Clinton]

Epstein trying to blackmail him.

[Podcast Host 2]

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[Narrator/Commentator]

Then you had MAGA Republicans like James Comer again, just like just think about how again these MAGAs are politicizing this thing in a way that Americans know is screwed up. And I remember this. Hillary Clinton said that she would testify publicly. She said she wants to do this hearing in front of everybody originally and James Colmer wanted it to be private. Okay Colmer, what do you have to say now? Play this clip.

[James Comer]

Sure. That, that just. You just showed where Bill Clinton was in the hot tub. We showed her that picture and she acted like she had no curiosity, wasn't concerned who was in the hot tub with him or any. She didn't know. She said she, she really wasn't concerned. So you know, a lot of things she, she said that I think most Americans will find hard to believe when they watch the video.

[Narrator/Commentator]

And by the way, James Comer. Look into James Comer's past. He's been accused of abuse. He's been accused of like, like, like hitting a girlfriend. He's been accused of a lot of things to Colmer. So you know, be careful casting those stones, Colmer. Then you had another MAGA Republican Pat Fallon. Here's what he had to say. Play this clip.

[Interviewer 1]

Now, do you think that the Boebert photo that was sent out, which y' all aren't supposed to do that, right? That's a pretty obvious no. No. So she sent that out. That gave Hillary a protectual excuse.

[Interviewer 2]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

For stopping the depot. But. But it was, you know, that was a violation of the rules, was it not? So you can say it's protectual, but you're not supposed to do that. So did that affect ultimately what you guys got? It was just a pause.

[Interviewer 2]

It was just a pause. Fortunately. Honestly, Lauren Boevart, my friend, apologized for it. It was an unforced error, but it was going to be possibly, as you said, a pretense for Hillary to say, oh, I'm gonna leave. And she threatened that. She actually said that. And I went right to Chairman Comer and I said, Jamie, if she leaves, we still have to hold her in contempt. What is she, a Faberge egg? Yes, it was a violation, but it's a still image and let's move forward. And Lauren said that she wouldn't do it again. She didn't do it again. And fortunately we were able to continue on because not only could we fill up your whole hour tonight, but we could teach a three credit college course. The more digging that you do with this, the more it doesn't make sense that the Clintons weren't really. They're a lot closer to Epstein than they're going to let you, you know, believe.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Okay. Really? So that's where, that's what you're going with? Let's. Then Fallon finally said, she's a very icy person. Hillary, very icy. Here, play this clip.

[Interviewer 1]

Politics. So take us behind closed doors. What was Hillary's demeanor like? She actually got, she got fluffed up pretty well. Looking pretty good there. So how did it go down?

[Interviewer 2]

Well, I'd never actually seen Laura, I'd never seen her in person. And she was certainly agitated. She was trying to be a little charming to the Democratic staff and that even fell flat. She's a very icy person, interestingly enough, but nonetheless, she was trying to distance herself from Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, obviously, as she just said, she said she never met Epstein, she was just casual with Maxwell. So I asked her a question, just casual. You've met hundreds of thousands of people. Your daughter gets married in 2010. You have to distill these hundreds of thousands of people down to 250. There were 500 at the wedding. There's going to be a groom. So 250 Clinton invites. And guess who shows up as an invited guest. Ghislaine Maxwell. And she said, well, she just was a plus one. I said, so that that's your testimony under oath, that it's just an odd coincidence that old Maxwell was there? Things that make you go, do we know who?

[Interviewer 1]

Wait, what was she. Was she Epstein's plus one? Forgive me for not knowing that.

[Interviewer 2]

No, no, Epstein didn't. Didn't go. He had been convicted. That would be bad.

[Narrator/Commentator]

These MAGA Republicans are a bunch of weirdos. Hillary Clinton handling herself with incredible dignity and grace, answering every question. Now let's do Melania. Now let's depose Donald Trump. Now let's depose Howard Lutnick. Those are the people who should be sitting for depositions. Let me know what you think. Everybody hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching. Want to stay plugged in?

[Podcast Host 2]

Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipowski, ad free episodes, episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only [e-mail].