After a closed-door deposition before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Thursday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answered questions from reporters, including one about why Ghislaine Maxwell attended her daughter’s 2010 wedding.
When asked why Maxwell was present at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, Hillary Clinton responded that Maxwell attended as a “plus one” for an invited guest. Maxwell was reportedly accompanying technology entrepreneur Ted Waitt at the time. The July 31, 2010, ceremony took place in Rhinebeck, New York, and included several hundred guests from political, philanthropic, and business circles.
Maxwell’s appearance at the wedding has drawn public attention in recent years following the release of photos from the event. Clinton has said her interactions with Maxwell were limited and has maintained that she had no knowledge of the criminal activities later associated with Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton reiterated during Thursday’s remarks that she never met Epstein and had no involvement in his activities. “I answered every one of their questions as fully as I could based on what I knew,” she said, adding that she never flew on his plane or visited his properties.
Questions have also surfaced in past media reports about events attended by former President Bill Clinton where Epstein and Maxwell were present. A 2002 wedding celebration for Mohammed VI in Morocco has been cited in coverage referencing photographs from the event. Representatives for the Clintons have previously stated that they were unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time.
Thursday’s deposition lasted more than six hours and was held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New York. Proceedings were briefly paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert shared a photo from inside the room, but questioning later resumed.
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to participate in a similar closed-door session on Friday as part of the committee’s ongoing review.