In a recently released Department of Justice transcript, Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, has revealed that she was "very central" to the founding of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).
This bombshell disclosure has sparked a fresh wave of scrutiny into her connections to both Epstein and the powerful figures in the political world, including Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The interview, which took place over two days in July 2024 at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, was conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
During the interview, Maxwell detailed her involvement with the CGI and confirmed her pivotal role in helping to establish the initiative, which, according to its official website, brings together leaders from the business, government, and non-profit sectors to address global issues.
Maxwell’s statements about her role at CGI could have far-reaching implications, shedding light on her interactions with the Clinton Foundation and its leadership during the years when the initiative was gaining traction.
The release of the transcript has also reignited public interest in Maxwell’s connection to Epstein’s extensive sex trafficking network and her access to influential figures in politics and business.
When asked by Deputy Attorney General Blanche about her involvement in the CGI's early days, Maxwell didn’t hesitate. "I was very central to that," she replied. She went on to explain that Epstein had been highly enthusiastic about her involvement with the project.
"He supported me to help them," she said, referring to her work with the CGI. However, Maxwell also noted that Epstein’s support for her work came with strings attached. “He may have tried to use that to insert himself in some way,” she explained.
Maxwell’s acknowledgment of Epstein’s apparent attempts to leverage his relationship with her for his own purposes offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of their association.
She was quick to clarify that while Epstein supported her work, she didn’t always agree with his ideas. “It’s not your idea. I don’t really care what you think,” she recalled telling Epstein at times, though she admitted that such interactions didn’t always go smoothly.
Epstein’s potential influence on the CGI’s early stages raises troubling questions about the degree to which he may have used his connections to Maxwell and the initiative to further his own goals, particularly in light of his criminal activities.
Maxwell also described attending the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative conference in 2013, where she was recognized for her nonprofit organization, The TerraMar Project, which focused on ocean conservation.
Maxwell was a guest of merit at the event, and video footage from the conference shows her receiving applause during CGI's ocean luncheon.
"It was rare, prestigious, and an honor to be acknowledged the way Ghislaine was at the CGI annual meeting," sources close to the event told CNN.
Her recognition at such a high-profile event raises questions about how an individual with Maxwell’s controversial background could be granted such access to influential political and business leaders.
The Clinton Foundation’s response to the revelations about Maxwell's involvement has been less than forthcoming. A spokesperson for the foundation confirmed that over 600 complimentary admissions were approved for the 2013 CGI event, with decisions on these admissions made at the staff level, including input from the office of President Bill Clinton.
The spokesperson did not specify whether Maxwell’s attendance was specifically vetted by higher-ups in the foundation or if it was part of a broader strategy to engage influential individuals in the nonprofit sector.
Maxwell's interview also touched on her personal connections to the Clintons, which have long been a subject of intrigue. She revealed that she had traveled with Bill Clinton to Davos at least once but was quick to distance him from Epstein’s activities.
“He never visited Epstein’s private island,” Maxwell said, attempting to clarify her relationship with the former president.
Maxwell also noted that she first met Bill Clinton at a White House event before becoming acquainted with him through former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.
Her assertion that Clinton was her friend, not Epstein’s, adds a layer of complexity to her interactions with the former president and suggests that Maxwell's relationship with Clinton may have been more professional than personal.
Maxwell further discussed meeting Hillary Clinton on a flight, recalling that it may have been on a trip from Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard to New York.
While she couldn't recall the exact details, her mention of the encounter with Hillary Clinton offers additional context for understanding her extensive connections within elite political circles.
Maxwell also disclosed that she had attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, a major event in the Clinton family, with a former boyfriend. However, she emphasized that Epstein did not attend the wedding.
The mention of the wedding has fueled speculation about the extent of Maxwell’s connections to the Clinton family, further complicating the narrative surrounding her role in global philanthropy and her ties to Epstein.
The fact that Maxwell was included in such a significant personal event for the Clintons speaks to the close-knit nature of her relationships with the political elite, particularly with the Clinton family.
It also raises questions about the broader networks in which she operated, especially considering her association with Epstein and the accusations surrounding his criminal activities.
Maxwell’s legal team, led by lawyer David Oscar Markus, has consistently maintained that she is innocent of the charges against her. In a statement following the release of the DOJ interview transcript, Markus reaffirmed Maxwell’s position, claiming that she never refused to answer any questions during her interview and supported her responses with documents and objective evidence.
“Ghislaine Maxwell is innocent and never should have been tried, much less convicted, in this case,” Markus stated. “The materials newly released by the Department of Justice make this clear.”
Markus also praised Maxwell’s demeanor during the interview, asserting that her credibility was evident to anyone who reviewed the transcript.
Maxwell’s defense, however, has not quelled public skepticism about her involvement in Epstein’s trafficking network. While her lawyer insists that she was fully cooperative with authorities, her past actions and connections continue to raise significant concerns, especially as more details of her role in Epstein’s operations are slowly coming to light.
Maxwell’s revelations about her central role in the establishment of the Clinton Global Initiative are likely to have significant political ramifications.
The connection between the Clinton Foundation and Maxwell, who has been convicted for her involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, raises uncomfortable questions about the overlap between high-profile philanthropy and criminal activity.
Critics are already calling for more transparency regarding the foundation's ties to individuals like Maxwell and Epstein, particularly in light of their past involvement with influential political figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton.
The Clinton Global Initiative, which has long been a beacon of global philanthropy, now finds itself at the center of a storm of controversy. As more details about Maxwell’s involvement emerge, the foundation's leaders will likely face increased scrutiny over their past associations and the vetting process for those involved in their events and initiatives.
Moreover, Maxwell's claims about Epstein's involvement in trying to insert himself into the CGI raise further questions about how Epstein may have used his connections to advance his own interests.
The newly released DOJ transcript suggests that Epstein’s influence extended far beyond his close circle, potentially reaching into powerful philanthropic networks like the Clinton Global Initiative.
As Maxwell's story continues to unfold, it remains unclear what further revelations will emerge about her connections to the Clintons, Epstein, and the broader web of powerful figures she interacted with over the years.
The ongoing investigation into Epstein’s trafficking network and the revelations from Maxwell’s testimony are likely to lead to further revelations that could shake the foundations of some of the world’s most prominent philanthropic organizations.
The full scope of Maxwell’s involvement in these high-profile circles may only become clearer as more documents and testimonies are made public.
In the meantime, the Clinton Foundation and its leaders will likely face heightened public scrutiny over their connections to Maxwell and Epstein, raising questions about the influence of wealth, power, and privilege in the world of global philanthropy.
The fallout from Maxwell’s statements could be far-reaching, affecting the legacy of both the Clinton Foundation and the broader network of powerful individuals tied to Epstein’s illicit activities.
