What was the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal? A look at the Monica Lewinsky affair, its impact on Bill Clinton’s presidency, and how the 1998 political scandal impacted U.S. politics.
- Bill Clinton’s affair with a White House intern was one of the biggest US scandals of the 1990s
- The affair began in 1995 and became public in early 1998
- A series of events from the affair eventually led to Clinton’s impeachment
- The affair had little impact on the Democrats polling in the midterm elections but did tarnish Clinton’s legacy
The Clinton–Lewinsky Scandal
The Monica Lewinsky affair was a US political scandal in the late 1990s that centred on an extramarital affair between President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, a 22-year-old White House intern. The affair began in 1995 and came to public attention in early 1998, leading to a series of events that culminated in Clinton’s impeachment. The scandal not only dominated headlines but also deeply affected Clinton’s presidency and had lasting implications for American politics and culture.
The affair first became public when Linda Tripp, a colleague of Lewinsky’s at the Pentagon, secretly recorded conversations in which Lewinsky disclosed details of her relationship with Clinton. Tripp turned the tapes over to Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, who was already investigating Clinton for unrelated matters, including allegations of financial misconduct in the Whitewater real estate scandal. Starr’s investigation expanded to include the Lewinsky affair after he obtained evidence suggesting that Clinton and Lewinsky had engaged in a sexual relationship and that Clinton had encouraged her to lie about it under oath.
In January 1998, news of the affair broke, and Clinton famously denied the allegations during a press conference, stating, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” However, the situation escalated when Starr’s investigation uncovered physical evidence, including a dress belonging to Lewinsky that contained Clinton’s DNA, proving the relationship. Clinton later admitted to the affair in a televised address in August 1998, acknowledging that his behaviour was inappropriate but insisting that he had not committed any illegal acts.
Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
The Clinton–Lewinsky scandal was a sex scandal involving Bill Clinton, the president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern. Their sexual relationship began in 1995—when Clinton was 49 years old and Lewinsky was 22 years old—and lasted 18 months, ending in 1997.
Clinton Impeachment
The scandal led to Clinton’s impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 1998 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his false statements under oath about the affair. Despite this, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in February 1999, allowing him to complete his second term in office. The impeachment process deeply divided Congress and the American public, with many viewing it as politically motivated. While Clinton’s approval ratings remained high throughout the scandal, the affair tarnished his personal reputation and provided his political opponents with ammunition to criticise his character.
The broader implications of the Monica Lewinsky affair extended beyond Clinton’s presidency. The scandal highlighted the increasing role of the media in political scandals, as 24-hour news coverage and tabloid journalism sensationalised the details of the affair. It also brought issues of privacy, power dynamics, and sexual misconduct into the national conversation. For Lewinsky, the scandal had devastating personal consequences, as she became the subject of intense public scrutiny and ridicule, though she later reemerged as an advocate for anti-bullying and public accountability.
The Lewinsky affair remains one of the most infamous scandals in U.S. history.
Common FAQs
What happened between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky?
Clinton admitted in a taped grand jury testimony on August 17, 1998, that he had engaged in an “improper physical relationship” with Lewinsky. That evening he gave a nationally televised statement admitting that his relationship with Lewinsky was “not appropriate”.
What caused Clinton’s impeachment?
The catalyst for the president’s impeachment was the Starr Report, a September 1998 report prepared by Ken Starr, Independent Counsel, for the House Judiciary Committee. The Starr Report included details outlining a sexual relationship between Clinton and Lewinsky.
What did Bill Clinton do?
Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act but failed to pass his plan for national health care reform.