What the Clintons Were Like in Private After the Lewinsky Affair | John Kiriakou

Summary

The transcript recounts a memorable meeting between President Clinton and Greek officials, including the Prime Minister and the foreign and defense ministers, where Clinton apologized for the U.S. government's role in the 1967 Greek coup. The narrator, who was 35 at the time, shares anecdotes about the meeting's atmosphere and the public's perception shift towards Clinton. It also includes personal interactions with Clinton and observations of his relationship with Hillary Clinton, reflecting on the aftermath of the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the 'Clinton magic' that captivated those present.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The speaker was 35 years old when they first met President Clinton during a meeting in Greece.
• 🤝 The meeting was a meet and greet with the Greek Prime Minister, foreign minister, defense minister, President Clinton, Secretary of State, National Security adviser, and the Ambassador.
• 🇬🇷 President Clinton's visit to Greece was significant as he was there to apologize for the U.S. government's involvement in overthrowing the Greek government in 1967.
• 🌍 The Greek media initially portrayed President Clinton negatively, calling him 'Planetar' or 'planet ruler', but public opinion changed after his heartfelt apology.
• 📝 The speaker's role in the meeting was as a note-taker, which involved being discreet and attentive to the discussions.
• 🍽️ There was an abundance of food at the meeting, but none of the participants, including the speaker, were offered anything to eat until President Clinton personally offered something to the speaker.
• 😅 A humorous moment occurred when President Clinton mistook the speaker for Greek, leading to a light-hearted exchange about nationality.
• 👥 Hillary Clinton and Chelsea were also present, and there was a noticeable tension between Hillary and President Clinton, possibly related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
• 🎤 President Clinton gave an impassioned speech to the Hellenic American Women's Chamber of Commerce, which was met with great enthusiasm from the crowd.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the complex dynamics of the Clinton's relationship and the political implications following the Lewinsky scandal.
• 🧙‍♂️ The speaker recounts a story about President Clinton's charisma and ability to manipulate a situation to his advantage, as told by a former ambassador.

Q & A

How old was the speaker when they took notes during the meeting with President Clinton in Greece?

The speaker was 35 years old.

Who were the participants in the meeting with President Clinton in Greece?

On the Greek side, the participants were the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the Defense Minister. On the American side, the participants were President Clinton, the Secretary of State, the National Security Adviser, and the Ambassador.

What was the purpose of President Clinton's visit to Greece?

President Clinton visited Greece to apologize for the United States' role in overthrowing the Greek government in 1967.

How did the Greek media refer to President Clinton before his visit?

The Greek media derisively coined the title 'planet ruler' for President Clinton.

How did the Greek public and media react to President Clinton's visit after his apology?

The reaction was overwhelmingly positive; they praised him, calling him a kind and good man.

What was the speaker's role during the meeting with President Clinton?

The speaker's role was to take notes discreetly during the meeting.

What happened when Hillary and Chelsea Clinton arrived at the meeting?

Hillary Clinton appeared upset, and when President Clinton tried to make small talk about visiting the Parthenon, she responded tersely and walked away.

How did President Clinton react to the interaction with Hillary Clinton at the meeting?

President Clinton made a joke about leaving and led the speaker to the elevator to leave the area.

What event followed the meeting, and how was President Clinton received there?

President Clinton attended an event hosted by the Hellenic American Women's Chamber of Commerce, where he gave a rousing speech and was enthusiastically received by the attendees.

How did Clinton's fundraisers react to the Lewinsky scandal, and what was the outcome of their meeting with him?

The fundraisers initially planned to confront Clinton and urge him to resign, but he emotionally apologized and pleaded for their forgiveness, resulting in them abandoning their plans to demand his resignation.

What did the speaker learn about Clinton's personality from the interaction with his fundraisers?

The speaker learned that Clinton had a persuasive and charismatic personality, which he used to maintain support even in difficult situations.

How did the speaker feel during the meeting with President Clinton and other officials?

The speaker felt a sense of disbelief and was concerned about being perceived as an imposter.