Hillary Clinton Claims Putin Has Photos and Videos That Could Be Used Against Trump

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has reiterated her belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin possesses potentially damaging material about U.S. President Donald Trump. In her latest podcast, Clinton suggested that Trump's Russia-related decisions could be influenced by his affinity for powerful leaders, financial interests and possible pressure from Moscow. However, she presented no documentary evidence to substantiate her suspicions.

Clinton made the remarks on HRC's High Stakes, a podcast she co-hosts with journalist Kara Swisher, released on October 21, 2026. Her comments have once again brought U.S.-Russia relations, Trump's policy toward Moscow and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files into the center of political debate.  “I still believe that Putin has something on Trump,” Clinton said. “I still think he's got pictures, videos, whatever.” She also pointed to Trump's opposition to releasing the Epstein-related files, suggesting that his supporters could be surprised by the contents when the documents become fully public.

These remain Clinton's political allegations and personal suspicions. She did not identify any photographs, videos or documents that independently substantiate her claims. During the podcast, Clinton outlined three possible explanations for Trump's Russia policy. These included his apparent admiration for powerful leaders, economic interests and the possibility that Putin could use the threat of releasing damaging material to exert pressure on the U.S. president.

She also referred to business interests involving oil, gas and mineral resources, arguing that financial considerations should be examined when assessing Trump's decisions. These explanations reflect Clinton's interpretation and do not establish that any of the suggested motives are responsible for his policies. During the discussion, Swisher used the term kompromat, which refers to compromising information that can be used to damage someone's reputation, discredit them or exert pressure on them. In this context, Clinton suggested that Trump might seek to keep Putin satisfied to prevent the Russian leader from exposing alleged compromising material.

However, the discussion did not establish that Putin actually possesses such material or that Trump's policies are connected to any potential threat. Clinton's remarks come amid continuing political disagreements in the United States over the Trump administration's approach to Russia. She also discussed sanctions against Russia, Ukraine and negotiations with Moscow, arguing that Trump's policies should be examined not only as diplomatic strategy but also in the context of his relationships with powerful leaders and possible financial interests.

Her comments echo longstanding criticism among Democrats concerning Trump's relationship with Putin. Clinton and Trump have been political rivals for years. During the 2016 presidential election campaign, she raised questions about alleged Russian interference in the U.S. electoral process and Trump's relationship with the Russian president. Against this background, her latest remarks can be viewed as part of a political dispute that has continued for nearly a decade. However, their longstanding rivalry and previous controversies involving Russia do not independently substantiate the new allegation. The key distinction in this case is between suspicion and established fact. Clinton expressed her belief that Putin possesses potentially compromising material about Trump but cited no verifiable documents, witnesses or direct evidence to support the claim. Her remarks should therefore be understood as the political suspicions of a former senior U.S. official, rather than proof that the Russian president is using secret material to control or pressure Trump.