Bill Clinton told he must answer ‘legitimate questions’ about Epstein ties before House panel: Live updates

WorldPolitics
27 Feb 2026 • 11:19 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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Former President Bill Clinton will sit for a recorded deposition with the House Oversight Committee today, where lawmakers will question him about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein – a day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, did the same.

Questions about Bill Clinton’s knowledge of Epstein’s involvement in foreign intelligence or foreign wealth resources are expected to arise as well as questions about any travels to Epstein’s island – which Clinton has vehemently denied ever visiting.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia said the questions for Bill Clinton will be “legitimate,” unlike the line of questioning Republicans had for the former secretary of state Thursday.

The 42nd president had a social and professional relationship with Epstein – and photos of the pair emerged in the Epstein files – but he has denied wrongdoing and has not been formally charged with any crime connected to Epstein.

During her deposition on Thursday, Hillary Clinton stated that she had “no idea” about Epstein’s crimes and that she was being used to distract and cover up President Donald Trump’s actions.

Throughout the six-hour proceeding, Republican lawmakers asked Hillary Clinton about her husband’s relationship with the billionaire pedophile, UFOs and conspiracy theories related to Pizzagate.

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Key Points

  • Bill Clinton will sit for recorded deposition Friday
  • Hillary Clinton says she has no information on Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes
  • Committee’s chairman questions former secretary of state's credibility
  • Top Democrat demands panel call on Donald Trump to testify
  • Deposition paused after MAGA Rep. Lauren Boebert leaks photo

Rep Garcia suggests Melania Trump should come in for deposition

15:00 , Ariana Baio

Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said Friday morning that First Lady Melania Trump should be questioned about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Garcia told CNN that Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have set a precedent to “Bring in, for depositions, presidents, former presidents and first ladies and then asking those first ladies, as they did yesterday, about how they felt about their husbands.”

Watch: Hillary Clinton speaks after testifying at Epstein hearing

14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Republican’s attack on Bill Clinton risks backfiring

14:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Texas Rep. Pat Fallon attempted to keep on the 42nd president on Fox yesterday but overlooked the absolutely enormous elephant in the room.

Democrat says he wants to ask Bill Clinton about visits to island

14:15 , Ariana Baio

Democrat Stephen Lynch told CNN Friday morning he plans to ask former President Bill Clinton whether he went to Epstein’s island.

Bill Clinton has maintained he has not been to Epstein’s island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, other people have accused the former president of visiting.

Bill Clinton had a social and business relationship with Epstein prior to his 2008 conviction in Florida. He has denied and not been accused of wrongdoing associated with Epstein.

Committee Democrat says Hillary hearing ‘not productive’

14:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Speaking to Anderson Cooper on the same network last night, Virginia Rep. James Walkinshaw said yesterday’s witness was hit with the same questions again and again that yielded no new answers.

In pictures: Bill Clinton’s appearances in the Epstein files

13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

It’s worth reiterating that being mentioned or pictured in the recent run of documents published by the Department of Justice in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act does not imply wrongdoing and that the 42nd president has consistently denied any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.

That being said, Clinton can expect to be asked about images like the following during his deposition today, which emerged as part of the more than 3.5 million files released by the DOJ in late December and January or, prior to that, from the House Oversight Committee’s subpoenas of the Epstein estate.

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Voices: Make no mistake, Donald Trump has put the Clintons on trial

12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The president is finally getting the Hillary humiliation he always wanted, says Anne McElvoy.

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Make no mistake, Donald Trump has put the Clintons on trial

MAGA lawmaker defends leaking photo from Hillary Clinton deposition

12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert inadvertently disrupted yesterday’s hearing by sending a photo from inside the room to conservative influencer Benny Johnson, which is against the rules.

Here’s what she said about it afterwards.

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Lauren Boebert defends leaking photo from Hillary Clinton deposition

Top Democrat demands committee call on Donald Trump to testify

11:30 , Joe Sommerlad

California Rep. Robert Garcia was in no doubt yesterday about what needs to happen next.

— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) February 26, 2026

Committee’s chairman questions Hillary Clinton’s credibility

11:01 , Joe Sommerlad

Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer appeared on Sean Hannity’s Fox News last night and questioned some of the former first lady’s answers to his committee.

Meanwhile, on MS NOW, he was attacked in turn by Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari over his failure to call in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over his own past associations with Epstein.

Here’s more on that from Andrew Feinberg.

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Top House Republican says it’s ‘very possible’ Lutnick will be deposed over Epstein

Hillary Clinton speaks to reporters after six-hour hearing

10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

After emerging from the committee, the former secretary of state spoke to the press – and faced some further awkward questions about her family’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Read Hillary Clinton’s opening statement in full

10:00 , Joe Sommerlad

While yesterday’s proceedings took place behind closed doors, the veteran Democrat did post her opening remarks to the committee on social media in advance.

You can read them in their entirety below.

Recap: Hillary Clinton: I had no idea about Epstein’s criminal activities

09:30 , Joe Sommerlad

During her own deposition Thursday, the former first lady, secretary of state and presidential candidate stated that she had “no idea” about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and that she was being used to distract and cover up from President Donald Trump’s actions.

Throughout the six-hour proceeding, Republican lawmakers grilled Clinton about her husband’s relationship with the billionaire pedophile – seizing on allegations he received massages from young women.

Questions about UFOs and Pizzagate were also posed, according to news reports.

Here’s more.

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Hillary Clinton: I had no idea about Epstein’s criminal activities

Pressure grows on Trump to testify after Hillary’s committee appearance

09:17 , Joe Sommerlad

Podcaster Leigh McGowan appeared on CNN’s NewsNight last night and to point out an obvious hole in the Republican-led Oversight Committee’s approach to calling witnesses.

Top story: Bill Clinton to testify on Jeffrey Epstein before Oversight Committee today

09:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding Jeffrey Epstein on Friday – one day after his wife sat before the same committee.

The two-term Democratic president is expected to answer questions from lawmakers under oath and behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York.

The 42nd president had a social and professional relationship with Epstein – and photos of the pair emerged in the Epstein files – but he has denied wrongdoing and has not been formally charged with any crime connected to the deceased sex offender.

Ahead of the proceedings, he dismissed the ordeal as “pure politics” and accused the committee of being a “kangaroo court.”

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Democrat describes Hillary Clinton deposition as ‘political clown show’

08:30 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat, slammed the House Oversight Committee’s deposition of Hillary Clinton as a “clown show.”

“Hillary Clinton is not someone we should be focusing on right now,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Thursday evening.

“I think that's very telling, that rather than getting to the truth by focusing on people like [Les] Wexner, we're making this a political clown show,” Subramanyam said.

Nancy Mace says she is frustrated the US isn't doing more to seek justice for Epstein's victims

08:03 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, said she is frustrated that the United States has not done more to pursue justice for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, she was asked why the U.S. has not taken action similar to the U.K., where authorities recently arrested Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor.

“The United States is continuing its 20-year-long cover up,” Mace said.

“For me, I'm just dismayed that other countries are doing more than ours,” she continued. “We are the leader of the free world and why we would brush this sort of thing under the rug…why we are allowing this to happen and not being forthcoming is deeply problematic.”

What to know about Bill Clinton’s deposition on Friday

07:01 , Brendan Rascius

Former President Bill Clinton is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, following his wife’s six-hour deposition.

Here’s what we know so far:

  • The deposition will be conducted behind closed doors in Chappaqua, New York, the former president’s hometown.
  • Rep. James Comer, the GOP chair of the committee, said he will ask questions about the Clinton Global Initiative.
  • Comer said he is “confident” it will last “even longer” than Hillary Clinton’s deposition.
  • Bill Clinton previously characterized his appearance before lawmakers as “pure politics,” arguing it should be televised.
  • Bill Clinton had a social and professional relationship with Epstein — and photos of the pair emerged in the Epstein files — but he has denied wrongdoing and has not been formally charged with any crime.

ICYMI: Hillary Clinton was asked why Ghislaine Maxwell attended her daughter’s wedding

06:05 , Brendan Rascius

During a press conference after her deposition on Thursday, Hillary Clinton was asked why Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, attended her daughter’s wedding.

“She came as the plus one, the guest, of someone who was invited,” Clinton told reporters.

Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton, was married in New York in 2010. Maxwell attended the ceremony with her then-boyfriend Ted Waitt, a billionaire friend of the Clinton family, The New York Times reported earlier this month.

Hillary Clinton added that she knew Maxwell “casually, as an acquaintance."

Comer says Hillary Clinton 'had no curiosity' about Bill Clinton hot tub photo

05:04 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. James Comer, the GOP chair of the House Oversight Committee, said Hillary Clinton showed no concern about her husband’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein during her six-hour deposition on Thursday.

Comer told Fox News that the committee showed the former secretary of state a photo — released in the Epstein files — which depicts her husband in a hot tub with an unidentified woman.

“We showed her that picture,” the Republican said. “She acted like she had no curiosity, wasn’t concerned who was in the hot tub with him. She really wasn’t concerned.”

GOP lawmaker says Trump was 'exonerated' of wrongdoing in Epstein investigation

04:02 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said that President Donald Trump has been exonerated of all wrongdoing amidst calls from Democrats for him to testify about Jeffrey Epstein before the House Oversight Committee.

“We’ve asked the victims specifically on whether or not President Trump had hurt them, and he was exonerated,” Luna told Fox News on Thursday evening.

“The president is not considered a person of interest in this investigation,” she added. “He’s been nothing but cooperative…”

After Hillary deposition, Democrat calls for Trump to appear before committee

03:00 , Brendan Rascius

After Hillary Clinton’s deposition, Rep. Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, called on President Donald Trump to testify about Jeffrey Epstein.

“President Trump should now appear before our committee and answer our questions for as long as Secretary Clinton and Bill Clinton will tomorrow,” Garcia, who sits on the House Oversight Committee, told MS NOW on Thursday evening.

“He needs to answer questions immediately in front of the committee,” he added. “And we're not sure why he continues to be protected by the house majority.”

Video and transcript of deposition should be released soon, lawmaker says

02:02 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee, said that the video of Clinton’s deposition should be published soon.

“We’re going to release the transcripts. We’re going to release the video as soon as everyone has approved it,” Comer told reporters on Thursday. “The normal process in a deposition is the attorneys would have the opportunity to review the transcript and to review the video to make sure there are no errors.”

“No one's accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing,” he added. “But we have a lot of questions.”

Nancy Mace thanks Clinton for taking the time to speak with lawmakers

01:33 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, thanked Hillary Clinton for sitting through a six-hour-long deposition on Jeffrey Epstein today.

“I also want to thank Secretary Clinton for her time today,” Mace, who is running for South Carolina governor, wrote on X. “Scripture says the truth shall set you free. We spent hours today in pursuit of exactly that, for every survivor who never got justice.”

ICYMI: Lauren Boebert’s photo leak to influencer prompts chaos at Hillary Clinton Epstein deposition

01:15 , Brendan Rascius

Hillary Clinton’s closed-door deposition in the congressional Jeffrey Epstein investigation was paused Thursday after a right-wing influencer shared a photo of the former first lady during proceedings, which he said was given to him by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert.

Rhian Lubin and Josh Marcus report...

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Photo leak to influencer prompts chaos at Hillary Clinton Epstein deposition

Republican lawmaker asks what questions he should pose to Bill Clinton

00:50 , Brendan Rascius

Ahead of former President Bill Clinton’s deposition on Jeffrey Epstein, Rep. Eric Burlison, a Missouri Republican, invited his followers to share what questions they think he should ask.

“What questions would YOU ask him?” Burlison wrote on X on Thursday.

The former president is set to be deposed in Chappaqua, New York, tomorrow.

ICYMI: Read Clinton’s opening statement to House Oversight Committee on Epstein

00:30 , Brendan Rascius

Ahead of her deposition with the House Oversight Committee on Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, Hillary Clinton released her four-page opening statement.

She wrote that she had no knowledge of the investigations into the crimes carried out by Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate.

“Let me be as clear as I can,” she wrote. “I do not.”

Read the full statement below.

Democrat described Clinton deposition as 'incredibly unserious'

00:10 , Brendan Rascius

Arizona Democrat Yassamin Ansari described the deposition of Hillary Clinton as “incredibly, incredibly unserious.”

“The type of behavior we’re seeing from Republicans was really, really, really sickening given the gravity of the situation,” she said in a video posted on X on Thursday, following the six-hour-long deposition.

“A bunch of [Republicans] showed up today,” she added. “None of them showed up last week when we were in Ohio for the deposition with Les Wexner.”

She also called on President Donald Trump to testify before the committee to address allegations against him that surfaced in the Epstein files.

“We are just getting started,” she said.

Ghislaine Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding as guest of billionaire: report

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:45 , Brendan Rascius

Ghislaine Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding with her then-boyfriend Ted Waitt, a billionaire friend of the Clinton family, The New York Times reported earlier this month.

Hillary Clinton was asked about Maxwell’s attendance at the ceremony following her deposition today.

“She came as the plus one, the guest, of someone who was invited,” the former secretary of state told reporters.

Democrat says Clinton ‘ran circles around the Republicans the whole time’

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:40 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat, told CNN that Hillary Clinton “ran circles around the Republicans the entire time,” describing the six-hour session as “a waste of time.”

While Subramanyam noted that the former secretary of state fully cooperated and answered every question, he clarified that she had no connection to Epstein. He argued that the House Oversight Committee should instead focus its efforts on interviewing individuals with substantial ties to the late sex offender.

CNN’s Jake Tapper asked the lawmaker to confirm reports that Republicans asked Clinton about UFOs and Pizzagate.

Subramanyam said he can’t speak to the details of the deposition, but said “the transcript will be very revealing about that.”

Clinton said she repeatedly told lawmakers that she ‘did not know Jeffrey Epstein’

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:27 , Brendan Rascius

During a brief press conference after her deposition, Hillary Clinton told reporters that she repeatedly told lawmakers that she did not know Jeffrey Epstein.

“I don’t know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein,” Clinton said.

Nancy Mace says she's 'not suicidal' after Clinton deposition

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:21 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, said she is “not suicidal” following her participation in the deposition of Hillary Clinton on Jeffrey Epstein.

“I want to thank my GOP colleagues for trusting me with a generous amount of time today to question Secretary Clinton on her ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell,” she wrote on X on Thursday evening.

“I am not suicidal,” she added. “The tires on my car were recently rotated. All of my security cameras work.”

Clinton says Ghislaine Maxwell was 'plus one' at her daughter’s 2010 wedding

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:10 , Brendan Rascius

Hillary Clinton was asked by reporters about why Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, was invited to her daughter’s wedding.

“She came as the plus one, the guest, of someone who was invited,” Clinton told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton, was married in New York in 2010. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking charges in 2021.

Hillary Clinton speaks to reporters after six-hour deposition

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:07 , Brendan Rascius

Hillary Clinton spoke to reporters after her six-hour deposition on Jeffrey Epstein with the House Oversight Committee, saying “I want to see the truth come out.”

She described the session as “repetitive,” claiming she was asked the same questions “over and over again.” The former secretary of state added that she wished the proceedings had been public.

When asked about Bill Clinton’s relationship with Epstein, she said she is confident that he was unaware of the pedophile financier’s crimes.

“I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of people who had contact with him before his criminal pleas in [2008] were like most people: they did not know what he was doing. And I think that is exactly what my husband will testify to tomorrow,” she said.

Comment: Make no mistake, Donald Trump has put the Clintons on trial

Thursday 26 February 2026 23:00 , Anne McElvoy

The release of the Epstein files has induced Bill and Hillary to testify in an investigation in Congress. That milestone marks a stinging defeat for a couple who, only a month ago, were furiously presenting their refusal to testify as a striking counter-blow against the manipulation of the justice system in the Maga era.

Read more here:

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Make no mistake, Donald Trump has put the Clintons on trial

Democrat claims Oversight Republicans asked Clinton about UFOS during deposition

Thursday 26 February 2026 22:33 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat, claimed that Republicans on the House Oversight Committee questioned Hillary Clinton about UFOs during her deposition.

“Apparently, Oversight Republicans are now asking Hilary Clinton about UFOs. Wow,” Stansbury, who sits on the committee, wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.

“If these guys were serious about addressing the Epstein crimes,” she added, “why are they not asking the AG and FBI to answer for the cover-up of files and why cases have been left unprosecuted for decades?”

Democrats request press access for Bill Clinton’s testimony

Thursday 26 February 2026 22:30 , Ariana Baio

After Rep. Lauren Boebert released an unauthorized photo of Hillary Clinton sitting for her recorded deposition, Garcia is asking Comer to allow reporters in the room when former President Bill Clinton testifies Friday.

It’s a lofty ask that is unlikely to gain approval from Comer and the Republicans on the committee. Comer specifically wanted the depositions to be conducted behind closed doors, though he said the transcript and video would be released.

Garcia also asked that the transcript and video be released within 24 hours of the deposition’s conclusion. Lawyers may look over the transcript and video before it is released so the timing depends on how quickly that can be done.

Garcia says there should be ‘repercussions’ for leaked photo

Thursday 26 February 2026 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said there should be “repercussions” from Chairman James Comer over the released photos of Hillary Clinton.

"The repercussions should come from the majority and Chairman Comer," Garcia told reporters Thursday afternoon during the deposition’s break.

"I mean, it was very clear that the leaked photo was sent out by a member.”

Rep. Lauren Boebert sent an unauthorized photo of the closed-door testimony to conservative influencer Benny Johnson.

Mace accuses Clinton of lying about knowing Epstein

Thursday 26 February 2026 21:30 , Ariana Baio

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace accused Hillary Clinton of lying in her deposition about not remembering meeting Jeffrey Epstein.

Hillary Clinton told lawmakers in her opening statement: “I do not ever recall encountering Mr. Epstein.”

But on X, Mace said Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, was present at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet.

“Secretary Clinton is a terrible liar,” Mace said.

‘Why not?’ Boebert says in response to photo leak

Thursday 26 February 2026 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Representative Lauren Boebert appeared unconcerned that she may have violated committee rules by sharing a photo of Hillary Clinton’s closed-door testimony, responding, “Why not?” when asked by reporters.

As Boebert left the closed-door deposition, reporters asked the Colorado Republican why she shared it.

“Why not?” Boebert responded, according to the Associated Press.

Boebert also sarcastically said she admired Hillary Clinton’s suit.

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Committee Democrats want Trump to be deposed

Thursday 26 February 2026 20:40 , Ariana Baio

Echoing Hillary Clinton’s calls for President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition, Rep. Garcia said Democrats on the House Oversight Committee want to call the president to testify because he is mentioned in the Epstein files.

Trump had always denied wrongdoing associated with Jeffrey Epstein.

Republican asked Clinton about her husband receiving massages: report

Thursday 26 February 2026 20:20 , Ariana Baio

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace reportedly asked Hillary Clinton how she felt about her husband, Bill Clinton, receiving massages from young women, a source told CNN.

Hillary Clinton responded that she would not speculate about things that she was not present for and that she was not testifying to talk about her feelings.

Rep Garcia says Republican members broke their own rules with photo release

Thursday 26 February 2026 20:15 , Ariana Baio

Garcia accused Republican members of the House Oversight Committee of “breaking their own committee rules” by sending unauthorized photos for publication, saying it was unacceptable.

“It was gracious of the secretary and her team to continue the deposition,” Garcia said.

Democrats emphasize Hillary Clinton had ‘zero’ knowledge of wrongdoing

Thursday 26 February 2026 20:05 , Ariana Baio

During a deposition break, Democratic lawmakers backed Hillary Clinton, emphasizing her opening statements that said she knew nothing of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.

“Secretary Clinton is also completely cooperating with the deposition and the committee and answering questions in full faith and in good faith,” Rep. Robert Garcia said Thursday afternoon.

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US-Iran discussions end with 'significant progress'

Thursday 26 February 2026 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Iranian and U.S. diplomats have ended their indirect discussions, but a mediator said more will “resume soon.”

Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi said there was “significant progress in the negotiation.”

Watch: Rep. Ansari rips Republican 'clown show' during Hillary Clinton Epstein deposition

Thursday 26 February 2026 19:55 , Independent Video

Under-fire Justice Department says it is ‘reviewing’ after missing Trump pages are discovered in Epstein files release

Thursday 26 February 2026 19:45 , Alex Woodward

The Department of Justice said Thursday it is “currently reviewing” documents that appear to be missing from its public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files that detail unverified allegations against President Donald Trump. The DOJ comment comes days after investigative reporting first revealed the omission.

Read more from Alex Woodward:

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DOJ to investigate after missing Trump pages are discovered in Epstein files release

CEO of World Economic Forum to step down after investigation into Epstein ties

Thursday 26 February 2026 19:30 , James C. Reynolds

The head of the World Economic Forum has stepped down following an investigation into his ties to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the Geneva-based advocacy group, said on Thursday that he was resigning from the role as an independent investigation into his ties to Epstein concluded.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum,” he said. “I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”

Brende, who previously held senior roles in Norway’s government, made no mention of Epstein in his resignation statement.

Trump to meet with Mamdani at White House

Thursday 26 February 2026 19:00 , Ariana Baio

President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are meeting at the White House this afternoon.

The meeting, which was previously undisclosed, will reportedly be on housing.

Watch: Clinton advisor reveals deposition stopped after Republican sent Hillary photo to influencer

Thursday 26 February 2026 18:40 , Independent Video

Boebert defends conservative influencer who posted photo

Thursday 26 February 2026 18:16 , Ariana Baio

Rep. Lauren Boebert defended Benny Johnson, the conservative influencer who posted the photo, saying he did “nothing wrong.”

Johnson criticized Hillary Clinton’s lawyers for pausing the deposition because of the leaked picture, accusing Hillary Clinton of “trying to get out” of answering questions by pausing the closed-door deposition.

Outside photography is not permitted during closed-door depositions. Rep. James Comer, chairman of the committee, had requested that the deposition be recorded but conducted privately. The Clintons wanted a public hearing.

“Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition,” Boebert wrote on X.

Deposition paused after Rep Lauren Boebert leaks photo of Clinton

Thursday 26 February 2026 17:55 , Ariana Baio

Hillary Clinton’s deposition with the House Oversight Committee has been paused after Representative Lauren Boebert sent an unauthorized photo to conservative influencer Benny Johnson.

Johnson posted the photo on X as an exclusive and said Boebert had sent it to him.

While Hillary Clinton’s deposition is being recorded, it is closed-door. Rep. James Comer, chairman of the committee, said that videos and a transcript of the deposition would be released after attorneys reviewed them.

Other forms of photography are not permitted during these proceedings.

The Independent has asked Boebert’s office for comment.

Federal judge allows White House ballroom project to continue

Thursday 26 February 2026 17:46 , Ariana Baio

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., declined a group’s attempt to pause the construction of the new White House ballroom, saying the plaintiffs had not proved that Trump exceeded his authority in calling for its construction.

“The White House office in question is not an ‘agency’ under the [Administrative Procedure Act] and because Plaintiff did not bring the ultra vires claim necessary to challenge the President's statutory authority to complete his construction project with private funds and without congressional approval!” The judge wrote.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation, had asked the judge to intervene in preventing the construction of the project.

US delegation in Geneva for indirect discussions with Iran

Thursday 26 February 2026 17:38 , Ariana Baio

A delegation of U.S. diplomats is in Geneva, Switzerland, to resume indirect discussions with Iranian diplomats over Iran’s nuclear program.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are among the U.S. diplomats there. Iranian Foreign Minister Abas Araghchi is also present.

Hillary Clinton tells committee to make Trump testify if it's serious about Epstein probe

Thursday 26 February 2026 17:15 , Ariana Baio

“If this 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 said in her opening statement.

Trump is mentioned in the Epstein files because he was once friends with Jeffrey Epstein. However, the two stopped being friends long before Epstein was investigated and convicted in Florida of prostitution.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing associated with Epstein’s crimes.

View Original Article

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