In a shocking revelation that sent shockwaves through US politics, then-US President Bill Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998 became one of the biggest scandals in history.
The world was captivated by the headlines surrounding their affair, the subsequent trial, and Clinton's impeachment for perjury.
Over the course of 25 years since the scandal unfolded, Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary, and Lewinsky have all publicly addressed the affair.
Now, a quarter of a century after Clinton's impeachment on December 19, 1998, let's delve into everything we know about the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal.
During the 1990s, when Bill Clinton served as the President of the USA, he engaged in an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.
While the exact timeline remains somewhat unclear, CNN suggests that the affair began in November 1995.
This was not a brief fling, as Clinton himself confirmed their relationship extended into 1996.
Speculation suggests it continued until they were discovered in 1998.
Initially, President Clinton vehemently denied the affair, famously stating, “I did not have s**ual relations with that woman, Ms.
Lewinsky.”
However, he was later impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury but ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
Clinton remained in office until 2001.
The news of their affair first came to light when a coworker of Lewinsky's, Linda Tripp, whom she had confided in, broke the story.
Tripp had recorded audio evidence of Lewinsky discussing her relationship with the President.
Between November 1995 and March 1997, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky were involved in an intimate relationship characterized by secrecy.
Following the exposure of their affair in January 1998, both Clinton and Lewinsky continued to deny it until August, when Clinton held a press conference and admitted his wrongdoing.
He acknowledged the relationship as “wrong” and took responsibility for the lapse in judgment and personal failure.
Clinton expressed regret for misleading the public, including his wife.
Notably, Clinton avoided using explicit terms like “s**” during the statement and only expressed regret for misleading the public and his family.
This choice of words attracted attention at the time.
Monica Lewinsky was 21 years old when she started working as an unpaid intern at the White House.
It is alleged that her affair with President Clinton began when she was 22.
The following month, she was promoted to a paid position in the Office of Legislative Affairs, which involved frequently delivering letters to Clinton's office.
When their relationship became public, she was 24 years old.
One significant aspect of the scandal involved a blue dress.
In November 1997, Lewinsky informed her confidante Linda Tripp about a blue dress stained with semen from a s**ual encounter with Clinton in the Oval Office.
Tripp, who had been secretly recording their conversations, contemplated stealing the dress as evidence to expose Clinton.
Ultimately, in June 1998, Lewinsky handed over the dress to the FBI as part of a deal for immunity.
Forensic analysis confirmed Clinton as the source of the semen.
Both Hillary and Bill Clinton have addressed the affair in the years since.
In the documentary “Hillary” released in 2020, Bill opened up about his decision to engage in the affair, attributing it to a way of coping with anxiety.
Hillary expressed devastation upon learning the truth from her husband, stating that she couldn't believe he had lied.
Looking ahead, Monica Lewinsky has made efforts to move on from the scandal that forever tied her name to President Clinton.
In 2006, she obtained a Masters of Science degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Recently, she has dedicated herself to advocating against bullying as a strategic advisor for the anti-bullying organization Bystander Revolution.
This commitment stemmed from her empathy towards victims after hearing about Tyler Clementi's suicide following the release of a video depicting his s**ual acts.
Despite enduring public humiliation, Lewinsky has reflected on her journey of healing and overcoming adversity.
She emphasizes the importance of resilience and assures others that even in moments of excruciating shame and pain, there is always hope for change and joy.
The third season of American Crime Story, with Lewinsky serving as executive producer, delved into the intricate details of the White House scandal, further shedding light on the affair that shook US politics to its core.
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