Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern whose affair with President Bill Clinton led to one of the most infamous scandals in American political history, is once again speaking out about her experiences.
In a recent statement, Lewinsky expressed that she believes Clinton should have resigned in the wake of the scandal and revealed how she felt manipulated and "gaslit" by the White House during the fallout.
This revelation comes decades after the scandal first broke in the late 1990s, but it continues to be a defining moment in both political and cultural conversations.
Lewinsky’s latest comments shed light on her personal struggles, the imbalance of power in her relationship with Clinton, and how she believes the White House's response at the time painted her as the villain while protecting the president.
The Clinton-Lewinsky affair became public knowledge in 1998, sending shockwaves through the United States. At the time, Lewinsky was a 22-year-old intern working at the White House, while Clinton was serving as the 42nd president of the United States.
Their relationship, which took place between 1995 and 1997, was uncovered during an investigation led by independent counsel Kenneth Starr.
When the scandal came to light, Clinton initially denied having any inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky. His famous line, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky," became one of the most quoted statements in American political history.
However, evidence later proved otherwise, and he was impeached by the House of Representatives in December 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice. He was ultimately acquitted by the Senate and remained in office until the end of his term in 2001.
Despite Clinton’s impeachment, the scandal had far more lasting consequences for Lewinsky. She was thrust into the public eye, faced intense scrutiny, and was often ridiculed by the media and the public.
In contrast, Clinton continued his political career and later became a respected statesman, giving speeches and leading philanthropic efforts alongside his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In her latest comments, Lewinsky did not hold back in saying that Clinton should have resigned after the scandal was exposed. She argued that as the most powerful man in the country, Clinton had an ethical responsibility to step down, rather than fight to hold onto power.
Her statement aligns with a broader cultural shift in recent years, in which conversations around power dynamics, consent, and abuse of authority have become more prevalent.
The #MeToo movement, which emerged in the late 2010s, has led to increased scrutiny of relationships where significant power imbalances exist, including those between high-profile men and younger women in subordinate positions.
Lewinsky has previously spoken about how she views the affair differently as an adult compared to when she was in her early twenties. While she once believed it was a consensual relationship between two adults, she now recognizes the vast difference in power and influence that shaped the dynamic.
Clinton, as president, held immense authority, while Lewinsky, a young intern, was in a vulnerable position.
Beyond calling for Clinton’s resignation, Lewinsky also described how she felt "gaslit" by the White House and its response to the scandal.
The term "gaslighting" refers to a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or institution makes someone question their own reality or perception of events.
Lewinsky explained that after the affair was exposed, the White House worked aggressively to control the narrative, often at her expense.
She became the target of jokes, late-night talk show monologues, and tabloid headlines that painted her as the seductress, while Clinton positioned himself as the victim of political persecution.
The White House’s handling of the situation, Lewinsky suggested, was designed to make her feel as though she was the one in the wrong, despite the clear imbalance of power in their relationship.
Instead of acknowledging any wrongdoing, Clinton and his allies focused on damage control, spinning the story in a way that preserved his presidency while leaving Lewinsky to bear the brunt of public humiliation.
For Clinton, the scandal eventually faded into the background of his legacy, overshadowed by his political achievements and his post-presidency work. However, for Lewinsky, the impact has lasted a lifetime.
For years, she struggled with the weight of public scrutiny and shame. The internet was still in its early years when the scandal broke, but she was one of the first individuals to experience online harassment on a massive scale.
Every detail of her personal life was dissected, and she became a punchline for years. Only in recent years has Lewinsky been able to reclaim her narrative.
She has become a vocal advocate against cyberbullying, using her own experiences to shed light on the devastating effects of public shaming.
In interviews and speeches, she has shared how the scandal affected her mental health and personal life, and she has worked to help others who have faced similar forms of public humiliation.
Lewinsky’s recent comments reflect a growing trend of re-examining past events through a modern lens. Many public figures who were previously dismissed or vilified are now being viewed differently as cultural attitudes shift.
The way Lewinsky was treated in the late 1990s is now widely seen as an example of sexism and unfair power dynamics at play.
The media’s portrayal of her at the time would likely be received very differently today, as society has become more critical of the way young women in such situations are depicted and treated.
While Lewinsky’s words may not change history, they add another layer to the ongoing conversation about power, accountability, and the long-term effects of political scandals.
By speaking out, she continues to challenge the narrative that was built around her decades ago, asserting her voice in a story that for too long was told by others.
As for Bill Clinton, he has remained relatively silent on the matter in recent years. Whether he will ever directly address Lewinsky’s recent comments remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the scandal that once rocked the nation is far from forgotten.
Monica Lewinsky’s story serves as a reminder of the lasting consequences of abuse of power and the importance of holding those in positions of authority accountable—no matter how much time has passed.
