Summary: Monica Lewinsky, in a recent podcast, stated that former US President Bill Clinton should have resigned during the 1998 scandal. She reflects on the impact of the affair, media scrutiny, and the power dynamics involved.
Lewinsky Opens Up About Clinton Affair
Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern who was at the center of one of the most notorious political scandals in American history, has expressed that former US President Bill Clinton should have resigned when Congress moved to impeach him. Speaking in a candid interview on the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, she elaborated on how the scandal was handled and its impact on her life and career.
“He Should Have Resigned or Handled It Differently”
During the conversation with host Alex Cooper, Lewinsky, now 51, reflected on the fallout from her relationship with Clinton when she was just 22 years old. She emphasized that Clinton’s best course of action would have been either stepping down from office or handling the situation in a way that did not vilify her.
“I think that the right way to handle a situation like that would have been to probably say it was nobody’s business and to resign. Or to find a way of staying in office that was not lying and not throwing a young person who was just starting out in the world under the bus,” she remarked.
At the time of the scandal, Clinton was 49 years old. His initial denial of the affair led to a national controversy before he later admitted to the relationship. Despite this, he remained in office, a decision that, according to Lewinsky, came at a great personal cost to her.
Power Imbalance and Media Scrutiny
Lewinsky acknowledged that while she had made mistakes, Clinton’s actions were “more reprehensible.” She clarified that their relationship was not sexual assault because it involved “a level of consensuality.” However, she pointed out that as the President of the United States, Clinton bore the responsibility of never putting her in such a position.
“There was so much collateral damage for women of my generation to watch a young woman be pilloried on a world stage—to be torn apart for my sexuality, for my mistakes, for my everything.”
She added that Clinton’s denial of the affair felt like “gaslighting on a grand scale,” intensifying the public shaming she endured. The intense media coverage painted her as the primary culprit rather than focusing on the broader implications of power imbalance and ethical misconduct.
The Aftermath: “I Lost My Future”
The scandal not only led to an impeachment trial for Clinton but also had long-term consequences for Lewinsky. She described how she was publicly shamed and ostracized for years, significantly affecting her personal and professional life.
“I was lucky enough to hold onto a strand of my true self, but I lost my future.”
Lewinsky expressed gratitude for how her life has evolved over the past decade, but acknowledged that it took immense resilience to overcome the damage inflicted by the scandal. She has since transformed her experience into advocacy, speaking openly about cyberbullying, public shaming, and the psychological impact of mass media scrutiny.
The Lingering Debate
Lewinsky’s latest remarks reignite discussions about power, consent, and accountability in high-profile scandals. While Clinton managed to retain his position and continue his political career, Lewinsky faced a much harsher public judgment. Her statements underscore the lasting consequences of political and personal misconduct, particularly for young women caught in the crossfire.
As society continues to grapple with issues of power dynamics and workplace ethics, Lewinsky’s story remains a powerful reminder of how scandals of this nature impact individuals beyond the headlines. Today, she advocates for a culture of empathy and accountability—lessons that continue to resonate decades after the scandal first emerged.
