Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sharply rebuked Representative Nancy Mace during a congressional deposition last Thursday, amid questions about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. A video of the exchange, released Monday, shows Clinton growing visibly agitated as she defended her connection to Lutnick.
The Tense Deposition Moment
Clinton, pointing emphatically, stated, “You asked the question, I’m going to answer your question. This was what I spent my time doing!” after Mace interrupted her response.
She explained her familiarity with Lutnick by referencing the 9/11 attacks: “I know Howard Lutnick, because when I was Senator on 9/11, the firm he headed, Cantor Fitzgerald, suffered the greatest loss of life. As I recall, something like 650 of his employees were murdered by terrorists that day. Howard Lutnick missed being a victim because he was delayed dropping his child off to kindergarten.”
Epstein Investigation Context
The deposition forms part of a congressional inquiry into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton testified Thursday in Chappaqua, New York, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, following on Friday, February 27, 2026. Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Nancy Mace, and James Comer participated in related proceedings.
Clinton maintained she never met Epstein personally and only encountered his associate Ghislaine Maxwell a few times.
Lutnick’s Fundraiser Invitation
Documents from the Epstein files include an email from Lutnick in November 2015, inviting Epstein to a “very intimate fundraising event” at his financial firm for Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Epstein’s attendance remains unconfirmed, and Federal Election Commission records show he made no contributions. Lutnick donated the maximum allowable amount of $2,700 at the time.
A photo from the Epstein files depicts Lutnick with Epstein.
Mace Weighs In
Representative Mace addressed the moment on social media, stating, “Hillary Clinton denied seeking funds from Jeffrey Epstein in her deposition – yet emails showed Howard Lutnick sought funds for Hillary from Jeffrey Epstein.” She noted, “She lost her sh*t when I asked about it.”
Prior to the deposition, Mace confirmed to reporters that the email was on her question list.
