Linda Tripp Meets Monica Lewinsky In New Impeachment American Crime Story Teaser
The next season of FX's "American Crime Story" is just about a month away from its premiere date of September 7, 2021, and eager fans have just been given another teaser to tide them over until that date. The new season, subtitled "Impeachment," follows after 2016's "The People vs. O.J. Simpson" and 2018's "The Assassination of Gianni Versace," both of which received a significant amount of praise and attention.
"American Crime Story: Impeachment" will take on one of the biggest scandals in American history: the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton following his affair with 22-year-old White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The series is pulling from journalist Jeffrey Toobin's 1999 nonfiction book, "A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President" to bring the scandal to life on the screen. Additionally, Lewinsky herself serves as a producer on the series (via Vanity Fair). As for the cast, "Booksmart" breakout actress Beanie Feldstein will be portraying Lewinsky, while Clive Owen ("Closer," "The Knick") will be taking on the role of the former president. Additionally, Sarah Paulson will co-star as Linda Tripp and Edie Falco will portray Hillary Clinton.
Following the first teaser from last week, which showed Lewinsky delivering a gift to Clinton in his office, the newly dropped second trailer gives us a peek into another pivotal relationship from the story — the false friendship between Lewinsky and Tripp.
See Lewinsky face Tripp in new trailer
Linda Tripp was integral to bringing the affair to public light in the late '90s. During the affair, Lewinsky began to confide in Tripp, a 46-year-old White House employee (via ABC News). Without Lewinsky's knowledge, Tripp recorded their phone conversations and eventually released the recordings to investigator Kenneth Starr. Tripp later told ABC News, "I wanted this relationship exposed in the biggest way because it was so cruel. It was beyond cruel what he was doing to her." She has also claimed a "patriotic duty" (via The New York Times). On the other side of things, Lewinsky has stated, "I hate Linda Tripp" (via NYT).
With all this in mind, the new "American Crime Story" trailer only builds up the anticipation for the premiere. In the trailer, Lewinsky and Tripp are seen walking down a long hallway toward one another, while their respective voice overs depict some of their conversations about the affair. Lewinsky begins, "The president kissed me" and Tripp replies, "Tell me everything." It also contains a mention by Tripp of the now-famous blue dress (which contained Clinton's DNA from one of their sexual encounters), as well as Lewinsky's claim to be in love with him.
As the two come face to face, Tripp declares, "He chose to start a relationship with an intern, he's going to have to resign." It ends with Lewinsky exclaiming, "My life is over." As we all know, Lewinsky's life was truly changed forever from the experience, as she underwent intense media scrutiny and criticism. It's an eerie line to end the trailer on — and one that makes us that much more excited for the premiere.