The Monica Lewinsky affair refers to a political scandal involving Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern. The affair began in 1995 and lasted until 1997, during which Clinton and Lewinsky engaged in a sexual relationship while he was in office. The scandal became public in 1998, leading to an investigation by independent counsel Kenneth Starr. Clinton initially denied the allegations but later admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky. This ultimately resulted in his impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 1998, though he was acquitted by the Senate in February 1999.