Fact-Check Article: "The Clintons Invited Epstein to the White House 17 Times"
What We Know
The claim that Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times during Bill Clinton's presidency is substantiated by multiple sources. According to visitor logs obtained by the Daily Mail, Epstein made these visits between 1993 and 1995, with a significant number occurring in 1994. The logs indicate that he was admitted as a guest on 14 separate days and made two visits in a single day on three occasions. Notably, during one visit on September 29, 1993, Epstein attended an event where he was photographed with Clinton alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been implicated in Epstein's criminal activities (National Review).
Epstein's first visit to the White House was recorded on February 25, 1993, shortly after Clinton took office. The logs suggest that many of Epstein's visits were to the West Wing, indicating potential meetings with senior staff or possibly Clinton himself (Yahoo News). Clinton has publicly denied any knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities, although he has acknowledged having a relationship with Epstein over the years (The Daily Beast).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it is based on official visitor logs from the Clinton White House, which are credible sources of information. The logs were released as part of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, lending them additional reliability. The Daily Mail's report, which serves as a primary source, has been corroborated by other reputable outlets like the National Review and The Daily Beast, which also confirm the number of visits and the context surrounding them.
However, it is important to note that while Epstein visited the White House numerous times, the logs do not definitively indicate that he met with President Clinton during every visit. In fact, Clinton's schedule showed he was not present for several of Epstein's visits (New York Post). This nuance is critical in understanding the nature of their relationship; while Epstein had access to the White House, it does not imply direct interaction with Clinton on every occasion.
The claim also includes a contrasting statement about Democrats' views on Epstein, suggesting that they may consider someone else (implied to be a Republican) as more culpable despite their own connections to Epstein. This aspect of the claim is more subjective and reflects political biases rather than a straightforward factual assertion.
Conclusion
The claim that "The Clintons invited Epstein to the White House 17 times" is True. The visitor logs clearly document at least 17 instances of Epstein visiting during Bill Clinton's presidency, confirming the accuracy of the statement. While the nature of Clinton's relationship with Epstein is complex and involves various nuances, the fundamental fact regarding the number of visits is well-supported by credible sources.
Sources
- Jeffrey Epstein visited Clinton White House at least 17 times ...
- Epstein Visited Bill Clinton’s White House at Least 17 Times ...
- Jeffrey Epstein visited Clinton White House 17 times, logs reveal
- Jeffrey Epstein Visited President Bill Clinton 17 Times ...
- Fact Check: Here's What We Know About Bill Clinton, Jeffrey ...
- Jeffrey Epstein Made 17 Visits To The White House While Bill ...
