Bill Clinton , the 42nd president of the United States β , has been publicly accused of sexual misconduct, including rape, harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, some commentators have characterized Clinton's sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky as predatory or non-consensual, despite the fact that Lewinsky called the relationship consensual at the time.
These allegations have been revisited and lent more credence in , in light of the MeToo movement , with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky scandal. In , Paula Jones initiated a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in ; Clinton denied the allegations.
In April , the case was initially dismissed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on the grounds that it lacked legal merit. Robert S. Bennett , Clinton's main lawyer for the case, called the filing "a pack of lies" and "an organized campaign to smear the President of the United States" funded by Clinton's political enemies. In , Kathleen Willey alleged that Clinton had groped her in a hallway in An independent counsel determined Willey gave "false information" to the FBI, inconsistent with sworn testimony related to the Jones allegation.
Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office. Also in , Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Clinton had raped her in the spring of , although she said she did not remember the exact date. The Lewinsky scandal has had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy, beyond his impeachment in In , Clinton was asked in several interviews about whether he should have resigned, and he said he had made the right decision in not resigning. According to Broaddrick, she agreed to meet with Clinton for coffee in the lobby of her hotel, but Clinton asked if they could go to her room to avoid a crowd of reporters; she agreed.
Broaddrick stated that once Clinton had isolated her in her hotel room, he raped her. Broaddrick stated Clinton injured her lip by biting it during the assault. Supporters of Clinton have questioned her account by noting that, when Broaddrick testified about her alleged encounter with Clinton under oath, she denied having been raped by him.
