It was meant to be private. Instead, it’s all over YouTube. Newly released recordings of depositions given by Bill and Hillary Clinton to the House Oversight Committee have thrown fresh political fuel onto the long-burning fire of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. 

What was supposed to be a closed-door hearing quickly turned combative. A photo from inside the room was leaked online. Lawmakers veered into questions about conspiracy theories like “Pizzagate.” Republicans pressed both Clintons about Bill’s documented flights on Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s. Hillary repeatedly distanced herself from Epstein and redirected questions toward her husband. 

Bill Clinton has acknowledged taking several trips on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003 but has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity. Hillary Clinton has long insisted she had no relationship with Epstein. 

So, what do these tapes tell us? Former RTÉ Washington Correspondent and University of Galway journalism lecturer Carole Coleman joins Ciara Doherty to assess what’s new, what’s theatre, and where the Epstein investigation goes next.