According to insiders, Clinton’s decision to revisit the subject in the book is not simply an attempt to justify himself, but rather a veiled appeal for the public to finally close the chapter on the long-running scandal.

The Scandal That Rocked the White House

The affair between Bill Clinton and 22-year-old White House intern Monica Lewinsky lasted approximately 18 months in the mid-1990s. The scandal ultimately led the House of Representatives to impeach Clinton in 1998 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

Although the Senate acquitted him, allowing him to complete his presidential term, the consequences of the affair were devastating for Lewinsky. She faced intense public harassment and struggled to find employment for years, while Clinton remained married to his wife, Hillary Clinton.

“I Had to Restrain My Irritation”: Clinton Responds to the Criticism

In his memoir, Clinton recalls a controversial 2018 interview with Craig Melvin on Today, when the journalist directly asked him whether he had personally apologized to Monica Lewinsky.

“I said that I had apologized to her and everyone else I had hurt. I was caught off guard by what came next: ‘But you didn’t apologize to her — at least according to the people we’ve spoken to,’” Clinton recalls in the book.

The former president admitted that it took considerable effort to restrain his irritation. He argued that he had apologized publicly on numerous occasions — to Lewinsky herself as part of a broader group, as well as to her family, his own loved ones and the American people.

However, Clinton never personally contacted Monica to say “I’m sorry.”

“An Attempt to Seek Forgiveness Before He Dies”

Insiders claim that Clinton’s decision to emphasize the issue in his memoir was deliberate and reflects his desire to finally put the matter to rest.

“This is his remorseful plea for forgiveness because he feels that the time has come to do it before he dies,” a source claimed. “He hopes he can obtain forgiveness for what was described as cruel and sadistic, despite his past mistakes.”

What Does Monica Lewinsky Think?

Apparently, Clinton himself may be dwelling on the issue more than the woman at the center of the scandal. In a 2021 interview with Savannah Guthrie, Lewinsky said openly that she no longer needs an apology from him.

“There was a long period when I felt acute pain because there was no resolution to this situation. I’m very grateful that I no longer feel that way,” she said. “And I don’t need it anymore. Although, of course, he should want to apologize — just as I strive to apologize whenever I can to everyone who has been hurt by my actions.”