Monica Lewinsky has publicly expressed skepticism regarding the 30-day timeline mandated for the release of files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her comments come just a day after President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make the records public.
The Bill, which passed the House by an overwhelming 427-1 vote and the Senate unanimously, requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the unclassified files within 30 days of its enactment.
Lewinsky Compares Epstein Files to Starr Report
Lewinsky, who had an affair with former President Bill Clinton, drew a direct comparison between the release process of the Epstein files and the investigative report that thrust her into the national spotlight over two decades ago.
She shared a photo of a Reuters article on her Instagram Stories and X (formerly Twitter) with a text bubble next to Attorney General Bondi’s face, which read:
“somehow when congress voted to release the starr report, it was online within 48 hours…if not less.”
The Starr Report was the federal government report prepared by Independent Counsel Ken Starr in 1998 regarding his investigation into President Clinton, which included allegations that Clinton had lied under oath about his affair with Lewinsky in a sexual harassment lawsuit. The report, known for its rapid and graphic public release, led to Clinton’s impeachment proceedings.
By highlighting the contrast, Lewinsky subtly implied that the current administration’s 30-day deadline for the Epstein files—which the President’s opponents want to be fully transparent—may be unnecessarily protracted compared to how quickly sensitive files were released in the past.
The Context: A Political and Viral Firestorm
Lewinsky’s comment lands in the middle of a political and media frenzy surrounding the Epstein files:
- ‘Trump Blowing Bubba’ Email: The push for the bill intensified after an email from Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, surfaced. The email sparked speculation over the phrase “Trump blowing Bubba.” While Mark Epstein clarified that “Bubba” referred to a private individual and not former President Bill Clinton (whose nickname is “Bubba”), the suggestion ignited widespread political drama.
- ‘Donica Lewinsky’: The combination of the Epstein scandal and the Bill Clinton nickname led to the viral phrase ‘Donica Lewinsky,’ used by the internet to draw parallels between the two presidential sex scandals.
- DOJ Investigation: Amid the uproar, President Trump asked the DOJ and FBI to investigate Epstein’s links to Clinton and others, a move the agencies agreed to. The newly signed bill includes exceptions that allow the DOJ to withhold material if its release “would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution,” a clause that critics fear could be used to heavily redact or block the release of some records.