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Trump impeachment: Monica Lewinsky urges people not to her name when referring to 1998

It is not first time the activist and writer has commented on current case

Andrew Buncombe
Seattle
Sunday 26 January 2020 20:31 GMT
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Monica Lewinsky opens up about the 'avalanche of pain and humiliation' that followed the Clinton scandal

Monica Lewinsky, whose affair with Bill Clinton was at the heart of the impeachment drama two decades ago, has asked people not to use her name when making comparisons to the case of Donald Trump.

In a “gentle reminder”, Ms Lewinsky, a one-time White House intern, said using her name when referring to the 1998 case, had the effect of framing events in reference to the woman involved in the case.

She offered journalists and other commentators some alternative names to use for what happened in 1998, when Mr Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, but by cleared by the Democratic-led Senate.

“A gentle reminder for ways other than using my name re 1998. Let’s not frame it by the woman + youngest, least powerful person involved,” she wrote.

As alternatives, she suggested the Starr Investigation, the 1998 Impeachment, the Scandal of 1998, or the Clinton Impeachment.

Lastly, she suggested: “That Crazy, F***ed Up 1998.”

Ms Lewinsky’s relationship with Mr Clinton was at the heart of the Republican-led case against him after he lied under oath about it before a grand jury, under questioning from special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.

At a White House press conference, Mr Clinton also infamously declared: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky.”

President Bill Clinton says he 'has sinned' at 1998 prayer breakfast

Mr Trump is hoping that, as with the case against Mr Clinton, the Senate, currently controlled by Mitch McConnell and the Republicans, will vote not to impeach him.

Various outlets have pointed out this was not the first time Ms Lewinsky, now aged 46, has commented on the current impeachment case.

In December, the activist and sometime fashion designer, asked people to stop tagging her when talking about the case on social media.

When it was reported Mr Starr was to join Mr Trump’s defence team, her comments was less “gentle” than Sunday’s tweet.

She wrote: “This is definitely an “are you f***ing kidding me?” kinda day.”

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