Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Key Role in Launching Clinton Global Initiative, DOJ Transcript Reveals

Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has claimed she played a central role in launching the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), according to a newly released Department of Justice interview transcript. The revelation adds a new layer of scrutiny to Maxwell’s past connections with powerful figures and organizations.

The transcript, dated July 24–25, details a recorded interview conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche while Maxwell was incarcerated at a federal facility in Tallahassee, Florida. In the discussion, Maxwell asserted that she had a direct hand in establishing the Clinton Global Initiative — an annual summit created by the Clinton Foundation that brings together business leaders, heads of state, nonprofit organizations, and activists from around the world.

When asked directly by Blanche if she was involved in the early phases of CGI, Maxwell responded:
“I was. I would say very central to that, yes.”

She explained that Epstein encouraged her involvement in the initiative, although she believed he may have attempted to leverage her connections for his own purposes.

“He was very enthusiastic about my role. He supported me in helping them,” Maxwell said, referring to the Clinton Foundation. “But I suspect he also tried to use that to his advantage. That wouldn’t surprise me. He was difficult—he would argue with me over details. But I would remind him it wasn’t his idea, and he didn’t like that.”

Maxwell’s remarks come alongside a CNN report that uncovered her prominent attendance at one of the Clinton Foundation’s key events in 2013, years after public allegations about her involvement in Epstein’s trafficking ring had surfaced.

Footage from the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative conference shows Maxwell being applauded during a luncheon recognizing ocean conservation work. Her nonprofit at the time, The TerraMar Project, was among the organizations highlighted for environmental contributions.

Sources familiar with the event told CNN that Maxwell’s appearance and recognition were considered a “rare honor” at the CGI, describing it as a significant moment of validation.

In response to questions about Maxwell’s presence, a spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation clarified that over 600 complimentary guest passes were issued for the 2013 event. Those decisions, the spokesperson noted, were handled at the staff level, which included input from former President Bill Clinton’s office.

During the DOJ interview, Maxwell confirmed her ties to Bill Clinton, stating that she had accompanied him to the World Economic Forum in Davos at least once. However, she emphasized that Clinton had never visited Epstein’s notorious private island in the Caribbean.

“I went with him to Davos once—maybe twice, I can’t recall exactly,” Maxwell said. “But he was my friend, not Jeffrey’s.”

She added that she had met Hillary Clinton once on a flight, though she was vague about the details. “I want to say it was from Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard to New York. But I could be mistaken,” she told investigators.

Maxwell also confirmed she attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding with a former boyfriend, but noted that Epstein was not at the event.

Despite her conviction on federal sex trafficking charges related to Epstein’s criminal enterprise, Maxwell’s legal team continues to defend her innocence. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, released a statement to Fox News following the publication of the DOJ transcript.

“Ghislaine Maxwell is innocent and never should have been prosecuted, let alone convicted,” Markus said. “The newly released DOJ materials support this. She answered every question openly, provided documentation to back her responses, and remained composed throughout.”

He further argued that her credibility was evident during the interview, despite the difficult conditions she has endured in prison.

“Her willingness to speak candidly, even after five years of brutal confinement, speaks volumes,” Markus added. “The interview speaks for itself.”

Maxwell’s claims about her influence within the Clinton Global Initiative and her high-level connections are likely to renew public interest in the long-standing allegations surrounding her role in Epstein’s operations and the broader web of influential figures tied to both.

As more official records become public, questions are expected to continue over how much key institutions and individuals knew about Maxwell’s and Epstein’s activities—and how those relationships were managed behind closed doors.