First Lady Melania Trump has denied connections to Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters at the White House that any claims linking the two 'need to end today'. In a surprise announcement on Thursday, the first lady called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking.
She also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them 'mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation'.
It is unclear what prompted the announcement. There was no prior indication from her office that she would make a statement on Epstein, and the White House did not share the topic earlier when her remarks were put on its daily schedule.
She said she had not been a victim of Epstein, with whom she only briefly 'crossed paths' in 2000. 'I have never had any knowledge of Epstein abuse of his victims,' she said. 'I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant.'
She also denied knowing Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced financier's jailed associate. She referred to a 2002 email between her and Maxwell released in the Epstein files, calling it nothing more than 'casual correspondence' and a 'polite reply'.
The New York Magazine article included quotes from now-President Donald Trump calling Epstein a 'terrific guy' and saying 'he's a lot of fun to be with'. Melania Trump on Thursday additionally called on lawmakers to 'give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony'.
'Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the congressional record,' she said. 'Then, and only then, we will have the truth.'
Melania's statement is likely to reignite intense public debate over the handling of the justice department's investigation into Epstein and the subsequent release of its files. While Donald Trump has acknowledged that he knew Epstein for a time, he later claimed he expelled him from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach for being a 'creep'. The family of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre has also responded to Melania's comments, stating that survivors have already shown extraordinary courage and deserve justice from those in power. They accused the first lady of protecting 'those with power', including members of her husband’s administration.
Melania's statement marks a rare public appearance for the first lady, who has been largely absent from the public eye in recent months.
She also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them 'mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation'.
It is unclear what prompted the announcement. There was no prior indication from her office that she would make a statement on Epstein, and the White House did not share the topic earlier when her remarks were put on its daily schedule.
She said she had not been a victim of Epstein, with whom she only briefly 'crossed paths' in 2000. 'I have never had any knowledge of Epstein abuse of his victims,' she said. 'I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant.'
She also denied knowing Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced financier's jailed associate. She referred to a 2002 email between her and Maxwell released in the Epstein files, calling it nothing more than 'casual correspondence' and a 'polite reply'.
The New York Magazine article included quotes from now-President Donald Trump calling Epstein a 'terrific guy' and saying 'he's a lot of fun to be with'. Melania Trump on Thursday additionally called on lawmakers to 'give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony'.
'Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the congressional record,' she said. 'Then, and only then, we will have the truth.'
Melania's statement is likely to reignite intense public debate over the handling of the justice department's investigation into Epstein and the subsequent release of its files. While Donald Trump has acknowledged that he knew Epstein for a time, he later claimed he expelled him from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach for being a 'creep'. The family of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre has also responded to Melania's comments, stating that survivors have already shown extraordinary courage and deserve justice from those in power. They accused the first lady of protecting 'those with power', including members of her husband’s administration.
Melania's statement marks a rare public appearance for the first lady, who has been largely absent from the public eye in recent months.
