Bill Clinton's A Big Boy: Donald Trump On Ex-US President's Pictures In Epstein Files Says 'He Can Handle It'

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Bill Clinton has been drawn back into the political storm surrounding the release of files linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, after US President Donald Trump said the publication of photographs connecting prominent figures to Epstein was unfairly damaging reputations.

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday, Trump said Clinton - who appeared frequently in the newly released material - was capable of handling the renewed scrutiny, even as he criticised the Justice Department's disclosure process for fuelling anger and political fallout.

Also Read | Probe 'isn't about Bill Clinton' says ex-prez's camp amid Epstein Files' release

“No, I don't like the pictures of Bill Clinton being show. I don't like the pictures of other people being shown. I think it's a terrible thing. I think Bill Clinton's a big boy, he can handle it,” Trump told reporters.

What did Trump say about the Epstein photos?

When reporters asked whether the number of images of Bill Clinton included in the newly released Epstein files surprised him, Trump criticised the circulation of photographs without context.

“There are a lot of people who are angry about some of the people in the photos.”

Trump argued that being photographed with Epstein did not amount to wrongdoing and said they were unfairly harming reputations.

Also Read | Epstein files: Trump photo re-uploaded amid furore; DOJ explains removal

“People that really had nothing to do with Epstein, but they're in a picture with him because he was in a party, and you ruin a reputation of somebody,” Trump said.“So a lot of people are very angry that this continues.”

Why are the Epstein files being released now?

The controversy follows a decision by the US Department of Justice last Friday to release thousands of pages of documents tied to federal investigations into sex-offender Jeffery Epstein. The material includes photographs, phone records and investigative notes.

Also Read | Epstein's brother says says 'Bubba' is not Bill Clinton; who is it?

However, much of the disclosure was heavily redacted, and the release did not include the full set of documents held by the government. Lawmakers from both parties accused the department of failing to comply with a bipartisan law mandating the release.

The Justice Department said the scale of the material made it impossible to meet a congressional deadline of 19 December, promising further disclosures in the coming weeks.

Why has the Epstein Files release angered both parties?

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This undated photo from the personal collection of Jeffrey Epstein provided by the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on December 12, 2025, shows US President Donald Trump (L), flanked by Epstein (C), talking to an unknown woman. Democratic lawmakers released a new cache of photos on Friday from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that includes images of US President Donald Trump and former president Bill Clinton, as well as former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, former Clinton treasury secretary Larry Summers, director Woody Allen and the ex-prince now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
(AFP)

The staggered disclosure has triggered rare bipartisan criticism. Some Democrats and Republicans said the limited release fuelled speculation rather than transparency.

Critics also accused the administration of attempting to shield Trump, who had a documented social relationship with Epstein before the two men fell out in the mid-2000s. Trump signed the Epstein files legislation into law only after sustained pressure from congressional Republicans, having initially opposed it.

Also Read | Epstein case: Clinton named in probe for 'massages by victim', says report

Trump rejected those claims, saying the controversy was being used to undermine him politically.

“But this is what the Democrats - mostly Democrats, and a couple of bad Republicans - are asking for,” Trump said.“So they give you their photos of me too. Everybody was friendly with this guy, either friendly or not friendly, but he was around.”

How has Bill Clinton responded?

A spokesman for Clinton criticised the release of the Epstein Files and questioned the Justice Department's motives.

Angel Ureña, Clinton's spokesperson, said in a statement, "The White House hasn't been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton."

"This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they'll try and hide forever. So they can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be. Even Susie Wiles said Donald Trump was wrong about Bill Clinton," he added.

Also Read | High-profile celebrities named in Epstein's files: How to check it online

“Refusal to do so will confirm the widespread suspicion the Department of Justice's actions to date are not about transparency, but about insinuation - using selective releases to imply wrongdoing about individuals who have already been repeatedly cleared by the very same Department of Justice,” said Ureña.

Clinton has previously denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal activities and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Is this a political fallout for Donald Trump?

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Former US President Bill Clinton stands with Jeffrey Epstein in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. US Justice Department
(via REUTERS)

The dispute has exposed divisions within Trump's own political base. The handling of the files has added to political pressure on the president ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump said some Republicans were furious that the issue was being used to distract from what he described as his administration's achievements.

“A lot of Republicans are angry because of the fact that it's just used to deflect against a tremendous success,” he said.

Also Read | Clinton on Trump's governing style: 'We've never seen anything like this before'

He also attacked Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, calling him“a real low life” and a“loser” for working with Democrats on the legislation.

What action are US lawmakers threatening next?

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Former US President Bill Clinton and a woman are seen in this image from the estate of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025. U.S. Justice Department
(via REUTERS)

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Massie, the bipartisan sponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, have threatened to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress.

“The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,” Massie said during a joint interview with Khanna on CBS's Face the Nation.

Survivors of Epstein's abuse also condemned the partial disclosure, saying in a joint statement that the failure to release all files violated the law and undermined justice.

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