Monica Lewinsky Reflects on the Clinton Scandal After Nearly 30 Years
Monica Lewinsky recently shared her emotional insights regarding the scandal involving former President Bill Clinton, nearly three decades later. In a heartfelt discussion with actress Jameela Jamil, she opened up about the trauma and public humiliation that stemmed from the affair, which has left a lasting impact on her life.
During their conversation, Jamil inquired about Lewinsky’s current feelings, particularly in light of her long history of public scrutiny. Lewinsky reflected on her journey toward self-acceptance, acknowledging that while she has become more confident, the remnants of her past are still with her.
“I think I’m in a place where I’m more confident in myself as a person,” Lewinsky noted. “Every time I see that reflected back to me as something that’s acceptable, I feel like I’ve shed the skin of my old self trauma.”
Jamil highlighted how Lewinsky had little ability to defend herself when the scandal erupted in the late 1990s, pointing out the lack of platforms to share her side of the story. Lewinsky agreed, but admitted that fear continues to inhibit her from fully expressing herself.
“I still live in great fear… It sounds crazy, but it’s like seismic,” she said. “Everything I’ve built over the last 11 years—oh, it makes me emotional—could just be taken away again, leaving me without purpose or income.”
Reflecting on the affair—when Lewinsky was an intern and Clinton was serving as President—she described the relentless public ridicule she faced, which began with the impeachment proceedings in December 1998.
“I think it’s about trying to hold on to what is instead of what was,” she remarked, expressing the ongoing struggle of living through her experiences. At one point, she told Jamil about the severe impact of mass public shaming, with Jamil adding that feeling globally scrutinized can be life-threatening.
Recently, Lewinsky has taken on the role of an anti-bullying advocate, using her platform to discuss the enduring effects of public shaming and how her past continues to shape her present.
