Exploring Monica Lewinsky’s Insights on Accountability and Power in Scandal

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Monica Lewinsky states Bill Clinton should have resigned over their affair, reflecting on the damaging power imbalance and his decision to protect his presidency at her expense.

Quick Takes

Lewinsky believes Clinton should have resigned after their affair was revealed rather than lying and damaging her reputation
She describes Clinton’s denial as “gaslighting on a grand scale” that had lasting impacts on her life
While acknowledging the relationship was consensual, Lewinsky emphasizes the extreme power imbalance between a young intern and the most powerful man in the world
Lewinsky expressed concern about the “collateral damage” the scandal caused for women of her generation who witnessed her public humiliation

Clinton “Should Have Resigned” Rather Than Lying

Monica Lewinsky has recently stated that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned when Congress voted to impeach him for lying about their affair in the late 1990s. During an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Lewinsky suggested Clinton had better options than the path he chose. “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,” Lewinsky said, reflecting on the scandal that dominated American politics and forever changed her life.

Lewinsky’s comments represent some of her most direct criticism of Clinton’s handling of the scandal. While she has spoken about the affair in recent years as part of her anti-bullying advocacy, these remarks specifically address what Clinton could have done differently. She acknowledges the complexity of the situation, given Clinton’s position as the leader of the free world, but maintains that his approach caused unnecessary harm to her reputation and future prospects. Clinton initially denied the relationship in January 1998 with his infamous “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” statement before eventually admitting to it months later.

Power Imbalance at the Core of the Scandal

While Lewinsky has consistently described the relationship as consensual, she emphasized the significant power disparity between them. “And at the same time, I’m hearing myself say that, and it’s like, OK we’re also talking about the most powerful office in the world. I don’t want to be naive either,” she noted during the podcast. This acknowledgment highlights the impossible situation she found herself in as a 22-year-old White House intern involved with the president of the United States. The affair, which began in 1995 during Lewinsky’s internship at the White House, created a power dynamic that has been reexamined in recent years.

“I think there was so much collateral damage for women of my generation to watch a young woman to be pilloried on a world stage – to be torn apart for my sexuality, for my mistakes, for my everything.” – Monica Lewinsky

The scandal resulted in Clinton’s impeachment by the House of Representatives, though he was later acquitted by the Senate and remained in office. For Lewinsky, however, the aftermath proved devastating. She became the subject of intense media scrutiny, public ridicule, and countless jokes. The scandal effectively defined her public identity for years to come, while Clinton went on to complete his presidency and establish a successful post-presidential career. This disparity in consequences has become central to Lewinsky’s reflections on the affair and its aftermath.

The Long Road to Reclaiming Her Narrative

Lewinsky has spent years rebuilding her life and reclaiming her narrative after becoming, as she puts it, “patient zero of internet shaming.” She described Clinton’s denial of their relationship as “gaslighting on a grand scale,” highlighting the psychological impact of having her reality publicly denied by someone with immense authority and credibility. The public believed Clinton’s denials, further isolating Lewinsky and contributing to the narrative that painted her as either a liar or a predatory young woman rather than someone caught in an impossible situation with the most powerful man in the world.

Despite the hardships she endured, Lewinsky expressed gratitude for how her life has evolved in the past decade. She has become an anti-bullying advocate, a public speaker, and a producer, including working on the 2021 HBO Max documentary “15 Minutes of Shame” about public humiliation. Her perspective on the Clinton scandal has been reevaluated in the post-#MeToo era, with many now viewing her as a victim of both power imbalance and public shaming rather than a willing participant in a political scandal. Lewinsky’s recent comments serve as a reminder of how differently the affair might have been handled and the lasting consequences of decisions made by those in positions of power.