*The following information is for documentation purposes only and not an allegation of guilty or wrong doing by any of the participants. Remember innocent until proven guilty.*
The “Clinton Body Count” is a conspiracy theory that alleges that Bill and Hillary Clinton have had numerous political opponents, critics, and associates murdered. This theory, which has circulated for decades, claims that the deaths of these individuals were covered up, often disguised as suicides or accidents.
Origins and History
The conspiracy theory gained traction in the 1990s, fueled by the controversies surrounding Bill Clinton’s presidency. It was propagated through right-wing circles, message boards, and later, social media. The theory often resurfaces during periods of political tension or when the Clintons are in the public eye.
Linda Thompson, a Republican attorney, is credited with popularizing the “Clinton Body Count” theory in 1993 with a piece titled “The Clinton Body Count: Coincidence or The Kiss of Death?”. She compiled a list of over 24 people with ties to the Clintons and questioned the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Thompson, who died of a drug overdose in 2009, was known for her advocacy for armed militias and her criticism of the news media.
Key Claims and Allegations
The “Clinton Body Count” conspiracy theory encompasses a wide range of allegations, often involving individuals who died under unusual or suspicious circumstances 5. The theory posits that the Clintons orchestrated these deaths to eliminate potential threats or to cover up illegal activities.
Victims
- Vince Foster: Foster, a White House Counsel during Bill Clinton’s presidency, was found dead in 1993. His death was ruled a suicide, but conspiracy theorists claim he was murdered because he knew too much about the Clintons’ alleged wrongdoings.
- Jeffrey Epstein: Following Epstein’s apparent suicide attempt in jail, where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the #ClintonBodyCount hashtag reemerged on Twitter. Conspiracy theorists linked the Clintons to Epstein, despite the lack of evidence.
- Seth Rich: The murder of Seth Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer, has also been linked to the “Clinton Body Count” theory. Despite investigations and evidence pointing to other motives, some still allege that Rich was killed for exposing the Clintons.
- Ron Brown: The Secretary of Commerce under Bill Clinton, Brown died in a plane crash in Croatia in 1996 along with 34 other people. Conspiracy theories suggested the plane was sabotaged or that Brown was shot before the crash to prevent him from testifying in a corruption investigation. Extensive investigations by the U.S. Air Force and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found no evidence of foul play and attributed the crash to pilot error and poorly designed approach procedures.
- Jim McDougal: A former business partner of the Clintons in the Whitewater land deal, McDougal died of a heart attack in prison in 1998 while serving a sentence for fraud. Theorists claim he was silenced.
- Mary Mahoney – A former White House intern, murdered in a Starbucks in 1997, though authorities linked the crime to a robbery.
- Kevin Ives and Don Henry – Two Arkansas teenagers whose deaths in 1987 were initially ruled accidental but later reclassified as homicides, with some conspiracy theorists linking them to alleged drug operations.
Other alleged victions are C. Victor Raiser II, Ian Spiro, Jerry Parks, Edward Eugene Willey, John F. Kennedy Jr., Victor Thorn, Shawn Lucas, Christopher Sign, Kobe Bryant, Jovenel Moïse, Jean-Luc Brunel and Mark Middleton.
Responses and Accusations
- Hillary Clinton: Hillary Clinton has directly addressed the conspiracy theory, dismissing it as a “derangement” and a “conspiracy”. She has accused those who promote the theory of engaging in political attacks and spreading lies.
- Bill Clinton: Bill Clinton has also addressed the conspiracy theory, calling it “outrageous” and “hurtful”. He has defended his and his wife’s integrity and has emphasized the importance of truth and facts.
- Allies and Supporters: Allies and supporters of the Clintons have spoken out against the conspiracy theory, defending their reputation and integrity. They have accused those who promote the theory of engaging in partisan attacks and spreading misinformation.
- Donald Trump: During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump retweeted a message referencing the “Clinton Body Count,” drawing criticism for amplifying the conspiracy theory. This incident sparked widespread condemnation from the media and political figures 5.
- Right-Wing Media Personalities: Some right-wing media personalities and commentators have promoted or amplified the “Clinton Body Count” theory, either directly or indirectly. They often present the claims as “questions” or “concerns” without explicitly endorsing them.
The cases have been officially investigated and no wrong doing by the Clintons was found, however the high number of individuals does raise some read flags.
What do you think real or just coincidence?
Podcasts
The Rachman Review: This podcast features an episode that discusses conspiracy theories, including the “Clinton Body Count” 2.
Why Is This Happening?: In an episode titled “Discussing the death and life of Seth Rich with Andy Kroll,” the podcast delves into the Seth Rich conspiracy theory and its connection to the “Clinton Body Count” 3.
Hell and Gone: The “Arkancide” episode explores various conspiracy theories, including the “Clinton Body Count” 8.
Dan Snow’s History Hit: An episode titled “The Clinton Body Count to the QAnon Shaman: Conspiracy Theories” examines the “Clinton Body Count” and its relationship to other conspiracy theories 1.
Conspiracyland: A six-episode podcast series that debunks the Seth Rich conspiracy theories 6.