Clinton had sexual relationship with Monica to 'deal' with anxiety
What's the story
Bill Clinton, one of the three American Presidents to have been impeached, said in a new documentary about his wife Hillary that his affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1990s was his way of dealing with anxiety. It was his sexual relationship with Lewinsky, then 22 years old, that got him impeached, but he was acquitted by the Senate.
Documentary
The Clintons discussed the affair in new documentary
The Lewinsky-Clinton scandal was discussed by the former President and his wife Hillary in a new four-hour documentary, that focuses on the latter's life. Hillary, the former Secretary of State and 2016's Democratic Presidential candidate reflected on her decision of staying with her husband despite the infidelity. One entire episode of the documentary, to be aired on Hulu, was dedicated to the affair.
Aftermath
Lewinsky saw affair as abuse of power, Hillary was devastated
For Lewinsky, the relationship didn't qualify as "sexual assault" but "constituted a gross abuse of power". The 1990s were demonizing for her as TV channels across America took the character assassination route, and Clinton's loyalists refused to believe her. The former President also denied the charges initially but eventually admitted he had a sexual relationship with his junior. Hillary was "devastated" on learning the news.
Statements
Hillary made Clinton break the news to daughter Chelsea
Recalling the night Clinton told her the truth, an emotional Hillary said, "I was so, you know, personally hurt. It just...anyway, it was...horrible." She then asked the former President to tell what happened to daughter Chelsea. "I just hated to hurt her but..we all bring our baggage to life," he said in the documentary.
What he said
Life at White House wasn't easy, so Clinton had affair
Clinton described his decision to cheat on his wife as an outcome of the job he had. "It is you feel like you are staggering around, you have been in a 15-round prize fight that was extended to 30 rounds and here is something that will take your mind off of it for a while. That is what happens," the former President said.
Details
Nobody thinks to take an irresponsible risk: Clinton
Asked why he thinks he took the risk, Clinton said, "Nobody sits down and thinks I will take a really irresponsible risk, it is bad for my family, bad for my country, bad for the people who work with me. That is not what happens." Clinton also feels "terrible about the fact that Monica Lewinsky's life was defined by it (the affair)."
Leaving WH
Clintons underwent elaborate marriage counseling
After the affair made headlines, the Clintons left the White House for Martha's Vineyard. As they walked towards their designated copter Marine One, Chelsea held her parents' hands. "When she did that, oh my gosh, I thought, 'That is just so incredible, so strong and so wise," Hillary said in the episode. Clinton also said marriage counseling was tough but he knew it was necessary.
Appreciating Hillary
Clinton is grateful Hillary stayed in the marriage
While Clinton is at least acknowledging that the affair wrongfully defined Lewinsky's life, he had in 2018 said he didn't owe her an apology. Later, he said he didn't make the statement in his finest moment. The episode ended with an emotional Clinton saying how grateful he was that Hillary chose to stay. "God knows the burden she paid for that," he said.
Quote
And Hillary said we live in funny times
"It is a funny time we live in, the kind of public opinion shifts and people say, 'Oh, so noble, she stayed in her marriage' to 'Oh, it is so incomprehensible that she stayed in her marriage,'" Hillary noted.