Monica Lewinsky Reflects on Bill Clinton’s Impeachment and Its Aftermath

Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern at the center of the scandal that led to President Bill Clinton’s impeachment, has shared her thoughts on how Clinton should have handled the situation. In a recent interview with Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Lewinsky suggested that Clinton should have resigned from office following the revelation of their affair. “I think that the right way to handle a situation like that would’ve been to probably say it was nobody’s business and to resign,” she said. Lewinsky, who was just 22 years old at the time of the affair, also proposed that Clinton could have found a way to remain in office without lying or putting her in a difficult position. “Or to find a way to stay in office that was not lying and not throwing a young person who is just starting out in the world under the bus,” she added.

Lewinsky’s remarks mark a notable shift in her perspective on the events that unfolded in 1998. While she acknowledged that her suggestion might seem naive, given the immense power of the presidency, she emphasized the importance of accountability. “At the same time, I hear myself say that and it’s like, ‘Okay, but we’re also talking about the most powerful office in the world.’ I don’t want to be naive either,” she said. Her comments come as she continues to reflect on the scandal and its impact on her life, a process she has been open about in recent years.

The Scandal That Led to Clinton’s Impeachment

The scandal involving Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton began in 1995, when Lewinsky, then an intern in the White House, engaged in a sexual relationship with the president. The affair became public knowledge in 1998, after Independent Counsel Ken Starr’s investigation into Clinton’s conduct. Starr’s report, submitted to the House Judiciary Committee, detailed the relationship and Clinton’s subsequent lies about it under oath. Clinton initially denied the affair during a deposition in a separate sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee. When the truth came to light, Starr’s investigation concluded that Clinton had committed perjury and obstructed justice, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 1998.

The impeachment trial in the Senate ended in February 1999 with Clinton’s acquittal, as senators voted against removing him from office. Despite this, the scandal left an indelible mark on Clinton’s legacy and had a profound impact on Lewinsky’s life. Clinton has since admitted that he engaged in the affair for what he called “the worst possible reason – just because I could.” In a 2004 interview with CBS, he expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I think that’s just about the most morally indefensible reason anybody could have for doing something – when you do it because you could.”

Monica Lewinsky’s Journey After the Scandal

In the years following the scandal, Monica Lewinsky’s life was forever changed. She became a household name, but the attention came at a great personal cost. Lewinsky has spoken openly about the emotional toll of the scandal, including feelings of shame, isolation, and the loss of her privacy. In the podcast interview, she reflected on the consequences she faced, stating, “I lost my future. I lost the possibility of a career in politics. But I’m proud that I held onto my true self.”

Lewinsky has also shared that she has received apologies from individuals who were involved in the scandal or who failed to support her at the time. “I’ve had a handful of people who were involved at the time that I’ve run into in different ways who acknowledge that they have made different choices,” she said. While she appreciates these gestures, Lewinsky has made it clear that she does not need them to move forward. “None of the people who were above the fold names involved in the investigation,” she noted, referencing the high-profile figures who played a role in the scandal. “I’m grateful that I’m at a place where I don’t need it anymore,” she added.

Bill Clinton’s Perspective on the Scandal

Bill Clinton has also reflected on the scandal and its aftermath. In a 2018 interview with CBS News, he defended his decision not to resign, stating, “I knew it wouldn’t succeed. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but it was a fight that I was glad to undertake after the elections, when the people had solidly told, by two-thirds or more, the Republicans to stop it.” Clinton argued that the impeachment was unwarranted, as the public had already signaled its disapproval of the Republican-led efforts to remove him from office. “They knew there was nothing impeachable. And so, we fought it to the end. And I’m glad,” he said.

Clinton has never expressed regret for not resigning, despite the fallout from the scandal. Instead, he has focused on taking responsibility for his personal actions while maintaining that his impeachment was a politically motivated act. In the years since leaving office, Clinton has worked to rebuild his public image, advocating for various causes and establishing the Clinton Foundation. While some have criticized his handling