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Bill Clinton Gets Heated Under Questioning About Monica Lewinsky

Julia Nista General Assignment Reporter
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Former President Bill Clinton got heated Monday morning on NBC’s “Today” show over questions about his affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky in light of the #MeToo movement.

He said he had not apologized to her personally, though he apologized to her on national television, and he declined to say whether he believes he owes her an apology today.

WATCH:

In an interview with NBC’s Craig Melvin, Clinton accused Melvin of “giving one side” of the Lewinsky story.

“This March, Monica Lewinsky penned an op-ed in “Vanity fair,” taking responsibility for her part in the scandal but also admitting that years later, she was diagnosed with PTSD from the unrelenting public scrutiny,” Melvin said, as he read aloud an excerpt from the op-ed. “Looking back, through the lens of #MeToo now, do you think differently or feel more responsibility?”

Clinton said he felt “terrible” and “came to grips with it,” and that he did apologize to Lewinsky and left the White House $16 million in debt.

Former President Bill Clinton denies allegations of a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky during a White House event unveiling new child care proposals in this January 26, 1998 file photo. REUTERS/Win Mcnamee/File Photo

Former President Bill Clinton denies allegations of a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky during a White House event unveiling new child care proposals in this January 26, 1998 file photo. REUTERS/Win Mcnamee/File Photo

“You typically have ignored gaping facts in describing this, and I bet you don’t even know them,” he continued.

“This was litigated 20 years ago. Two-thirds of the American people sided with me,” Clinton said. “They were not insensitive that I had a sexual harassment policy when I was governor in the ’80s. I had two women chiefs of staff when I was governor. Women were over-represented in the attorney general’s office in the ’70s for their percentage of the bar.”

He continued, “I’ve had nothing but women leaders in my office since I left. You are giving one side and omitting facts.”

President Clinton is shown in a photo from evidence gathered by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr in the White House sex scandal investigation. REUTERS

President Clinton is shown in a photo from evidence gathered by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr in the White House sex scandal investigation. REUTERS

Melvin then interjected, saying he was “not trying to present a side.”

Clinton then clarified that he had apologized to her publicly, not personally, saying he had not spoken with her.

“It’s 20 years ago, come on. Let’s talk about JFK. Let’s talk about — you know, LBJ. Stop already,” author James Patterson, who has co-authored a book with Clinton, insisted.

“I don’t think — you think President Kennedy should have resigned?” Clinton then asked Melvin. “Do you believe President Johnson should have resigned?”

“Someone should ask you these questions because of the way you formulate the questions. I dealt with it 20 years ago, plus, and the American people, two-thirds of them, sided with me, and I’ve tried to do a good job since then with my life and with my work. That’s all I have to say.”

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