A former senior adviser to Bill Clinton has reportedly withdrawn a previous claim that the former US president visited Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island, telling congressional investigators he cannot remember why he made the allegation. The reversal came during closed-door testimony as lawmakers continue examining Epstein's network and its high-profile associations.
INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE.
Doug Band, one of former US President Bill Clinton's closest advisers after he left office, has reportedly reversed a previous allegation that Clinton visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island, Little St. James, during testimony before the US House Oversight Committee.
According to RT, Band told lawmakers he could not remember why he claimed in a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair that Clinton had travelled to Epstein's island in 2003. He reportedly acknowledged he had no evidence that such a visit ever occurred.
Previous Claim Comes Under Scrutiny
Band's earlier statement had attracted significant attention because of his long-standing role as one of Clinton's most trusted advisers.
During the recent closed-door hearing, however, Republican Representative Nancy Mace criticised Band's testimony, accusing him of repeatedly responding that he could not recall important details and contradicting previous statements.
"He was the worst witness we've ever had," Mace told CNN. "He just said, 'I do not recall' on damn near every answer and he contradicted himself multiple times."
Congressional Investigation Continues
Band's appearance forms part of a broader congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's associates and network.
According to the report, the House Oversight Committee has interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, following renewed public attention generated by the release of thousands of Epstein-related documents.
The inquiry continues to examine relationships between Epstein and numerous political, business and social figures, although no comprehensive client list has been publicly released.
Longstanding Questions Remain
Bill Clinton has faced questions for years regarding the extent of his association with Epstein.
RT notes that one Epstein accuser claimed she saw Clinton on Little St. James, while another alleged Epstein had made comments suggesting Clinton "likes them young." Newly released files have also reportedly included photographs of Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, along with an image showing Clinton in a hot tub with an unidentified woman.
Clinton has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He maintains he never visited Little St. James, was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities, and has said his relationship with Epstein related solely to charitable initiatives. During earlier congressional testimony, Clinton also denied knowing the unidentified woman photographed with him or having any sexual relationship with her.
Epstein Investigation Still Raises Questions
Despite years of investigations, civil litigation, witness testimony and document releases, the Epstein case continues to generate significant public interest.
Jeffrey Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following her conviction for assisting Epstein's abuse of underage girls.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
While the investigation is centred in the United States, the Epstein case continues to attract international attention because it raises broader questions about accountability, institutional transparency and the treatment of politically connected individuals within the justice system.
For New Zealand audiences, the case serves as another example of how allegations involving influential public figures can remain the subject of public scrutiny for many years, even where criminal liability has not been established. It also highlights the importance of distinguishing between allegations, witness testimony, documented evidence and judicial findings as investigations evolve.
Source
RT — Longtime Clinton aide ‘can’t remember’ why he said ex-president visited Epstein island