Watch: Monica Lewinsky Storms Off Stage After 'Off Limits' Question Asked
After giving a speech in Jerusalem, Monica Lewinsky had an interview with Israeli news anchor Yonit Levi which she cut short after being asked about former President Bill Clinton‘s recent comments regarding his scandal with Lewinsky.
“Recently in an interview with NBC News, former President Bill Clinton was rather irate when he was asked if he had ever apologized to you personally, and he said he apologized to you publicly. Do you still expect a personal apology?” Levi asked according to The Daily Caller.
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to be able to do this,” Lewinsky said before walking off.
Lewinsky claimed that the question about Clinton’s interview was “off limits” in a recent Twitter statement.
so here’s 👇🏻 what happened… pic.twitter.com/Y7gLs3SDLF
— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) September 3, 2018
“There were clear parameters about what we would be discussing and what we would not. In fact, the exact question the interviewer asked first, she had put to me when we met the day prior. I said that was off limits,” Lewinsky said.
Lewinsky apologized to the audience, which had reacted with both confused murmurs and some applause after she walked away from the interview. However, Lewinsky’s statement did not make the situation any less confusing.
Instead of disputing Lewinsky’s version at first, the news outlet took the diplomatic route, thanking Lewinsky and adding that they “respect her sensitivity and wish her luck,” according to The Jerusalem Post.
However, the outlet later disputed Lewinsky’s claim, saying “the question that was asked was legitimate, worthy and respectful, and in no way went beyond Ms. Lewinsky’s requests.”
Levi’s question referred to the NBC News interview in which Clinton was asked if he would have reacted to the scandal differently in light of the #MeToo movement.
“Because people would be using the facts instead of the imagined facts. If the facts were the same today, I wouldn’t,” Clinton said.
Clinton also defended his decision to fight impeachment.
“I think I did the right thing. I defended the Constitution,” Clinton claimed.
It is unclear if this situation occurred because of a misunderstanding or if one party is not telling the whole truth. I can understand why any journalist would want to ask the question. Clinton’s extramarital affair had significant political consequences at the time.
On the other hand, Monica Lewinsky is essentially a celebrity, and she’s famous for exactly one thing — which is likely one of the moments in her life of which she is least proud. Her wanting to put that behind her — especially after more than two decades — is equally understandable.
Either way, if Lewinsky’s intention is to distance herself from her past affair with Clinton, she obviously still has a lot of work to do.
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