Betrayal of Trust: The Untold Story of Linda Tripp’s Recordings of Monica Lewinsky’s Affair with Bill Clinton

The scandal that rocked the nation and nearly toppled a presidency is being retold in the new series Impeachment: American Crime Story.

The focus is on Linda Tripp, a civil servant who recorded phone conversations with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, which became crucial evidence in President Bill Clinton's impeachment proceedings in 1998.

The first episode, which aired on the BBC, depicts the meeting between Tripp and Lewinsky, played by actors Sarah Paulson and Beanie Feldstein, respectively.

The ten-part series also stars Clive Owen as Clinton and Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton.

In the recorded calls, Lewinsky, then 22 years old, divulged explicit details of her affair with the sitting U.S. President to Tripp, whom she believed to be a close friend.

She admitted to engaging in s**ual acts with Clinton, including performing oral s**, and even mentioned keeping an unwashed navy-blue dress stained by the President as potential evidence.

These revelations eventually became part of special counsel Kenneth Starr's report on the scandal after news of the affair broke in January 1998.

Tripp, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in April 2020, revealed in a 2017 interview with Daily Mail TV that she felt compelled to act because she believed Clinton was a “s**ual predator.”

Despite Clinton surviving the impeachment proceedings and not being forced to resign, the scandal defined his presidency and garnered global media attention.

The recordings made by Tripp, which consisted of nearly 20 hours of intimate conversations, were a turning point in the investigation.

They shattered Lewinsky's trust, leading to the deterioration of their friendship.

Tripp's decision to record the calls and later disclose them to the authorities ultimately exposed Lewinsky's affair and subjected her to public ridicule and shame.

The scandal became a focal point of internet shaming, with Lewinsky being labeled derogatory names such as “tramp” and “bimbo.”

Impeachment: American Crime Story showcases the emotional journey of Lewinsky as she grapples with the consequences of her actions.

It highlights the pivotal moment when Lewinsky is confronted by FBI agents after Tripp's recordings come to light.

The series delves into the complex dynamics between the two women, portraying their friendship and the subsequent betrayal that forever altered their lives.

Despite the controversy surrounding the affair and its aftermath, Lewinsky has since become an advocate against bullying, a television personality, and a fashion designer.

Impeachment: American Crime Story, co-produced by Lewinsky herself, aims to present an honest portrayal of her story, even including scenes that may cast her in an unfavorable light.

The series sheds light on a chapter in history that continues to captivate audiences and serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of betrayal and political scandal.