The scandal surrounding Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky happened 20 years ago. However, in light of the #MeToo movement, people are seeing it differently – especially after Monica Lewinsky’s Vanity Fair essay was published in March. However, Bill Clinton remains firm that he doesn’t owe Lewinsky a private apology for what happened.

On Monday, Bill Clinton and author James Patterson kicked off a tour for the book, “The President is Missing.” However, Clinton had to talk about more than just the book. Prior to Monday’s event, Clinton had given a somewhat defensive interview about the scandal with NBC News. And book tour attendees pressed the former president to clarify his position.

Clinton explained, “The suggestion was that I never apologized for what caused all the trouble for me 20 years ago. First point is, I did. I meant it then, I meant it now. I apologized to my family, to Monica Lewinsky and her family and to the American people before a panel of ministers in the White House, which was widely reported. So I did that. I meant it then and I mean it today. I live with it all the time.”

While no one can deny that Clinton did, in fact, apologize publicly, now that the #MeToo movement has become a nationwide – even worldwide – movement, people question whether that is enough.

In March, Lewinsky wrote an essay for Vanity Fair, in which she said, “Now, at 44, I’m beginning (just beginning) to consider the implications of power differentials that were so vast between a president and a White House intern. I’m beginning to entertain the notion that in such a circumstance the idea of consent might well be rendered moot.”

Source: www.vanityfair.com

Nonetheless, Clinton maintains that even in the #MeToo climate, he did the right thing 20 years ago, and that his actions were sufficient. What’s more, a private apologize is not necessary.