Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Monica Lewinsky

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Monica Lewinsky.

Monica Lewinsky is an American activist who gained international notoriety due to her affair with President Bill Clinton while she was a White House intern from 1995 to 1997. The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal that followed significantly impacted American politics and culture. In recent years, Lewinsky has become an anti-bullying activist, speaking out against online harassment and public shaming, drawing from her own experiences during the scandal. She has also contributed to discussions about the #MeToo movement and the power dynamics inherent in workplace relationships.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1992: Affair with Drama Instructor

In 1992, Andy Bleiler, Monica Lewinsky's former high school drama instructor, alleged that they began a five-year affair.

November 1995: Sexual Encounters with President Clinton

Starting in November 1995 and continuing until March 1997, Monica Lewinsky stated that she had nine sexual encounters with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.

1995: White House Internship

In 1995, Monica Lewinsky started as a White House intern. It was during her time as an intern between 1995 and 1997 that she had an affair with U.S. president Bill Clinton.

March 1997: End of Sexual Encounters with President Clinton

In March 1997, the nine sexual encounters between Monica Lewinsky and President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office concluded. These encounters started in November 1995.

September 1997: Linda Tripp Recorded Conversations

In September 1997, after Lewinsky told co-worker Linda Tripp about her relationship with Clinton, Tripp began to secretly record their telephone conversations.

1997: Affair with Bill Clinton

In 1997, the affair between Monica Lewinsky and U.S. President Bill Clinton concluded. The repercussions of this affair became known as the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.

January 1998: Affidavit Denying Relationship

In January 1998, Monica Lewinsky submitted an affidavit in the Paula Jones case denying any physical relationship with Clinton.

January 1998: News of Clinton–Lewinsky Relationship Broke

In January 1998, news of the Clinton–Lewinsky relationship broke, leading to intense media scrutiny. Lewinsky spent the following weeks in seclusion at her mother's residence.

January 26, 1998: Clinton's Denial

On January 26, 1998, President Clinton stated, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky" during a White House news conference, further fueling the media frenzy.

August 17, 1998: Clinton Defends Statement

On August 17, 1998, Bill Clinton defended his previous statement about not having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, arguing it depended on the meaning of the word "is".

1998: Truth and Context Lost

In 1998, according to Monica Lewinsky, the truth and context were lost amidst the political and financial interests surrounding the scandal, reducing the women involved to serve various purposes.

June 1999: Ms. Magazine Articles on Feminism

In June 1999, Ms. magazine published a series of articles discussing whether Monica Lewinsky's behavior had any meaning for feminism.

February 2000: Jenny Craig Ads Stopped

In February 2000, Jenny Craig stopped running the commercials featuring Monica Lewinsky.

April 2000: End of Jenny Craig Campaign

In April 2000, Jenny Craig concluded Monica Lewinsky's advertising campaign entirely and only paid her $300,000 of the $1 million contracted for her involvement.

2004: Response to Clinton's Autobiography

In 2004, after Bill Clinton's autobiography, "My Life", appeared, Monica Lewinsky gave an interview with the British tabloid Daily Mail.

My Life

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2009: Corresponded with Ken Gormley

In 2009, Monica Lewinsky corresponded with scholar Ken Gormley and wrote that Clinton had lied under oath when asked about their relationship.

2013: Auction of Items

In 2013, items associated with Monica Lewinsky that Andy Bleiler had turned over to Starr were put up for auction.

October 2017: Tweets #MeToo

In October 2017, Monica Lewinsky tweeted the #MeToo hashtag to indicate that she was a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, but did not provide further details.

March 2018: Vanity Fair Essay

In the March 2018 issue of Vanity Fair, Monica Lewinsky wrote an essay in which she reflected on her relationship with Bill Clinton, characterizing it as an "abuse of power" due to the age and power differential, and revealed her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

May 2018: Disinvited from Town & Country event

In May 2018, Monica Lewinsky was disinvited from an event hosted by Town & Country after Bill Clinton accepted an invitation to the same event.

September 2018: Walks off stage at Jerusalem conference

In September 2018, Monica Lewinsky spoke at a conference in Jerusalem. During the Q&A session, she walked off stage after being asked by journalist Yonit Levi about whether she thought Bill Clinton owed her a private apology, a topic she had previously deemed off-limits.

August 6, 2019: American Crime Story: Impeachment Announced

On August 6, 2019, it was announced that the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal would be the focus of the third season of the television series American Crime Story, titled "Impeachment."

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2019: Interview on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

In 2019, Monica Lewinsky was interviewed by John Oliver on his HBO show "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver." They discussed the importance of addressing public shaming and how social media might have affected her situation during the scandal in the late 1990s.

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October 2020: Production Begins on American Crime Story: Impeachment

In October 2020, production began on the third season of American Crime Story, titled "Impeachment," which focuses on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Monica Lewinsky served as a co-producer for the series.

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September 7, 2021: Premiere of American Crime Story: Impeachment

On September 7, 2021, the third season of American Crime Story, titled "Impeachment," premiered. The season portrays the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and is based on Jeffrey Toobin's book, "A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President."

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