Former President Bill Clinton discusses his 2018 encounter with NBC’s Craig Melvin in his soon-to-be-published memoir, “Citizen.” Clinton concedes that the interview, which shifted its focus towards his affair with Monica Lewinsky, was not his best moment. He admits he was caught off guard by the line of questioning that Melvin pursued.
The interview, originally intended to publicize a novel co-authored by Clinton and James Patterson, changed course when Melvin broached the topic of the #MeToo movement and its relation to Clinton’s past indiscretions. Melvin questioned whether Clinton would have stepped down had his 1998 scandal transpired in today’s climate. Clinton responded by saying he would not have resigned and went on to criticize the ensuing impeachment process.
Subsequently, Melvin referred to a column by Lewinsky, where she shared how her perspective on sexual harassment had changed due to the #MeToo movement. Melvin asked if this had influenced Clinton’s viewpoint. Clinton responded, “No, I felt terrible then.” When further questioned about whether he had apologized to Lewinsky, Clinton confirmed that he had apologized to her and others he had wronged. However, he confessed he had not had a direct conversation with her, adding, “I did say publicly on more than [one] occasion I was sorry.”
Throughout the interview, Clinton became defensive regarding his track record on gender equality and claimed Melvin did not fully comprehend the Lewinsky case. He intimated that Melvin had ignored certain key details and questioned his understanding of the situation. Clinton further noted that Melvin was quite young when the scandal took place and may not have been thoroughly briefed.
In “Citizen,” Clinton looks back on his reaction during the interview and confesses he was caught off guard by the insinuation that he hadn’t apologized to Lewinsky. He suggests it’s more productive to channel anger towards issues impacting others rather than oneself.
The memoir, slated to hit bookshelves on November 19, 2024, shines a light on Clinton’s life post-presidency. The book’s publication was scheduled to follow the November 5 elections, during which Clinton was a prominent figure on the campaign trail.
The reflections Clinton shares in his memoir provide a deeper understanding of his perspective on the 2018 interview and how he navigated questions about the Lewinsky scandal. The book offers an open and honest look at his experiences and thoughts.
