It's been more than a decade since the reported affair between White House intern Monica Lewinsky and then-President Bill Clinton shocked Americans. But this week, Lewinsky is back in the headlines after the National Enquirer claimed it had obtained a "sex tape" recorded for Clinton by Lewinsky around November 1997.
In typical tabloid style, the magazine describes the "bombshell" tape as "steamy" and "sensational," and claims it obtained the audio from a source who disobeyed orders to destroy it.
"I was supposed to shred everything in late 1998," the unnamed "cleaner" told the National Enquirer. "But for some reason I kept this material."
According to CNN, Lewinsky and Clinton began their sexual relationship in November of 1995, two years before this tape was allegedly recorded. The scandal broke in 1998, however, after Linda Tripp contacted the office of Whitewater Independent Counsel Ken Starr and revealed she had recorded Lewinsky allegedly talking about the affair.
The magazine also published what it says is a complete transcript of the allegedly 3 minute, 47 second audiotape.
"Hi handsome," the reported transcript begins. "I couldn't bear the idea of sitting down to write you another note. So I though I would tape it, hope that's ok."
In the transcript, Lewinsky goes on to say she has "two proposals" for Clinton, "neither of which is you not seeing me."
"You can't refuse me because I'm too cute and adorable and soon I won't be here anymore to pop over," she continues, according to the transcript. "I could take all my clothes off and start... well.. I know you wouldn't enjoy that? But, I hope to see you later, and I hope you will just follow my script and do what I want."
Although the National Enquirer is often written off as a salacious spreader of gossip and unsubstantiated tall tales, it should be noted that the tabloid has broken some national scandals -- perhaps most notably one-time presidential candidate John Edward's 2006 affair.
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