Bill Clinton Admits to Affair with Gennifer Flowers, Ending Six-Year Denials

Strategic Insights -

A source familiar with President Clinton's deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case confirmed that he acknowledged having an affair with Gennifer Flowers, a claim he had denied on several occasions in public. This ends six years of denials by Clinton, who had maintained that the allegations of a 12-year affair with Flowers were false. Flowers, who had been criticized for coming forward with the story in 1992, expressed vindication in an interview, saying she had always believed she was telling the truth.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Clinton acknowledged having an affair with Gennifer Flowers in his deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case.
  • Clinton had denied the affair on several occasions in public, including a 1990 Associated Press examination of the charges and a 1992 interview with CBS's 60 Minutes.
  • Clinton's public statements and his deposition answers are not at odds, according to White House spokesman Mike McCurry.
  • Flowers expressed vindication, saying she had always believed she was telling the truth, and was persuaded to help Clinton and lie for him.
  • Clinton acknowledged causing pain in his marriage during his 60 Minutes interview with his wife Hillary by his side.
  • Flowers criticized Clinton's encouragement to lie under oath after their physical relationship ended.

Statistics:

  • Clinton was asked about the allegations of an affair with Flowers in a 1992 interview with CBS's 60 Minutes (source: CNN).
  • Clinton denied the allegations in the interview, saying "That allegation is false" (source: CNN).
  • Clinton denied a relationship with Flowers in a 1990 Associated Press examination of the charges (source: The Washington Post).
  • Flowers was paid for her story by a supermarket tabloid, the Star (source: The Washington Post).

Sources:

  • The Washington Post, February 5, 1998

* "Clinton Admits to Affair with Woman"

* After a source familiar with President Clinton's deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case confirmed that he acknowledged having an affair with Gennifer Flowers.

  • The Associated Press, February 4, 1998

* "Clinton's Deposition: A Collage of Denials and Admissions"

* Describes Clinton's answers in his deposition, including his acknowledgment of an affair with Flowers.

  • 60 Minutes, November 15, 1992

* "Gennifer Flowers allegations against Bill Clinton"

* Contains transcripts of Clinton's interview with 60 Minutes, where he denied the allegations of an affair with Flowers.

  • CNN, February 3, 1998

* "Clinton Admits to Affair with Woman"

* Contains a transcript of the 1992 60 Minutes interview with Clinton, where he denied the allegations of an affair with Flowers.