NBC’s Craig Melvin triggered Bill Clinton when he asked the former President to take a look at his scandal with Monica Lewinsky through the modern-day lens of the #MeToo movement.
Melvin was interviewing Clinton and author James Patterson about their new book, “The President is Missing.”
The segment took a turn when Melvin quoted from a recent op-ed penned by Lewinsky in which she discusses the public scrutiny she received for her affair with Clinton and how it led to a diagnosis of PTSD.
Melvin then asked Clinton, “Looking back, through the lens of #MeToo now, do you think differently or feel more responsibility?”
And that’s when he went into full-blown meltdown mode.
Wow. Bill Clinton having a meltdown on the Today show when asked if he had apologized to Monica Lewinsky pic.twitter.com/PQ4WrXU1ez
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) June 4, 2018
It’s clear Clinton didn’t appreciate the question, having thus far skated on his own past indiscretions while many others with sexual misconduct in their past have been taken to task.
“This was litigated 20 years ago,” he implored, as if there’s an expiration date on deplorable behavior.
“Two-thirds of the American people sided with me,” Clinton continued. “They were sensitive that I had a sexual harassment policy when I was governor in the ’80s. I had two women chief of staff when I was governor. Women were over-represented in the attorney general’s office in the ’70s.”
Yes, fantastic that you hired more women in your administration there, Slick Willie, but not if you spent a good amount of time violating your own harassment policy with them. Allegedly.
Clinton went on to accuse the reporter of “giving one side and omitting facts.”
When given an opportunity to apologize, Clinton said he had done so publicly, but didn’t owe Lewinsky an apology.
“But you didn’t apologize to her [Lewinsky]?” –@craigmelvin
“I have not talked to her.” –Bill Clinton
“Do you feel that you owe her an apology?” –Melvin
“No. I have never talked to her, but I did say publicly on more than one occasion that I was sorry.” -Clinton pic.twitter.com/dVAb0OycIa
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 4, 2018
In addition to these comments, Clinton appears to think he can rewrite history on the entire story, almost proclaiming innocence.
“A lot of the facts have been conveniently omitted to make the story work …” Clinton said. “I think I did the right thing. I defended the Constitution.”
Patterson leapt to Clinton’s defense, stating, “It’s 20 years ago, come on. Let’s talk about JFK. Let’s talk about — you know, LBJ. Stop already.”
Man. Can you imagine what would have happened if they asked him about Juanita Broaddrick? (RELATED: Chelsea Handler to Juanita Broaddrick: I Believe Bill Clinton Raped You).
Does Bill Clinton owe Monica Lewinsky an apology? Share your thoughts below!
