Epstein Files Reveal Ghislaine Maxwell's Role in Clinton Global Initiative

Despite Hillary Clinton's claims of limited contact, documents show Maxwell was central to launching the Clinton Foundation program.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:15am

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Newly released Justice Department documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, played a significant role in the launch and operations of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), one of former President Bill Clinton's signature post-White House endeavors. This contradicts Hillary Clinton's recent claim that she had only met Maxwell 'on a few occasions'.

Why it matters

The revelations about Maxwell's central involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative raise questions about the extent of the Clintons' relationship with Epstein and Maxwell, and whether they were aware of the pair's alleged sex trafficking activities at the time. It also undermines Hillary Clinton's attempts to distance herself from Maxwell.

The details

According to the newly released Epstein files, Maxwell said she had a 'very central' role in setting up the Clinton Global Initiative, including participating in budget discussions, working with the PR firm Publicis Groupe that produced the first CGI event, and even arranging to wire $1 million to pay for the 'Clinton project'. This contradicts Hillary Clinton's recent claim that she had only met Maxwell 'on a few occasions'.

  • The emails and documents detailing Maxwell's involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative date back to 2004, before Epstein's 2006 indictment and 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
  • Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for conspiring with Epstein to sexually exploit underage girls.

The players

Ghislaine Maxwell

Longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein who played a central role in the launch and operations of the Clinton Global Initiative, according to newly released Justice Department documents.

Hillary Clinton

Former U.S. Secretary of State who recently claimed she had only met Ghislaine Maxwell 'on a few occasions', contradicting the revelations about Maxwell's substantial involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative.

Bill Clinton

Former U.S. President whose post-White House endeavor, the Clinton Global Initiative, was closely tied to Ghislaine Maxwell according to the Epstein files.

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What they’re saying

“Ask him to tell you why i million now and where will it be going.”

— Jeffrey Epstein

“I played a very central role in setting up the Clinton Global Initiative.”

— Ghislaine Maxwell

What’s next

The revelations about Ghislaine Maxwell's involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative are likely to spur further investigations and scrutiny into the extent of the Clintons' relationship with Epstein and Maxwell, and whether they were aware of the pair's alleged sex trafficking activities at the time.

The takeaway

These new documents undermine Hillary Clinton's attempts to distance herself from Ghislaine Maxwell and raise serious questions about the Clintons' ties to the Epstein circle, which could have significant political implications as the 2028 presidential election approaches.