Melania Trump made these remarks in extraordinary and rare remarks from the White House on Thursday. She declared that lies linking her with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today, and she has never been friends with Epstein. The First Lady also called on Congress to provide the women victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around survivors, allowing them to testify under oath in front of Congress. She emphasized that each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and her testimony should be permanently entered into the congressional record.
In her detailed account, Melania Trump said Donald Trump and she were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time due to overlapping social circles in New York City and Palm Beach. She explained that she met Donald Trump by chance at a New York City party in 1998, and the first time she crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event she and Donald Trump attended together. Melania Trump added that she had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal undertakings at the time she first met him, and she never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. She stressed that Epstein did not introduce her to Donald Trump, and she is not Epstein's victim.
Lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.
Conflicting reports emerged about whether President Trump was aware of the statement beforehand. Multiple reports indicate that Melania Trump's statement reportedly blindsided or surprised President Donald Trump, who was unaware of it beforehand. However, a person familiar with the matter said President Trump was aware his wife planned to make Thursday's statement.
Melania Trump's call for action directly undercut ongoing messaging from her husband and the West Wing, renewing attention on a topic that was fading from public discourse amid the war with Iran. President Donald Trump and his top lieutenants have sought to downplay Epstein and his victims, repeatedly and publicly stating that the country is ready to move on. Donald Trump has previously expressed that Congress should drop the Epstein matter and said it's time to move on.
I have never been friends with Epstein.
Ambassador Paolo Zampolli said he is ready to testify before Congress that he introduced Melania and Donald Trump, not Epstein.
CNN inquired with Melania Trump's office in February about a friendly 2002 email exchange between her and Maxwell, which was released as part of documents pertaining to the Epstein investigation, but did not receive a response. In the 2002 email exchange, Melania Trump signed the email 'Love, Melania' and Maxwell responded calling her 'sweet pea'.
Donald Trump and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time due to overlapping social circles in New York City and Palm Beach.
Melania Trump described an email exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell as 'casual correspondence'.
Melania Trump said fake images and statements about Epstein and her have been circulating on social media for years and are completely false. She noted that her name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter. The First Lady added that her attorneys have fought unfounded lies with success, and several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract lies about her, such as The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.
I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Marc Beckman, senior adviser to the First Lady, said Melania spoke out because 'enough is enough' and 'the lies must stop'.
A psychologist analyzed that Melania Trump's statement without prior approval from the President suggests a lack of alignment in their relationship.
I characterized my email reply to Maxwell as casual correspondence and a polite reply.
The timing of Melania Trump's statement coincided with coverage of the Iran war and ceasefire negotiations. Saturday Night Live parodied Melania Trump's Epstein statement and the Iran negotiations in a sketch.
Former Attorney General Pamela Bondi was asked to apologize to Epstein survivors during a February congressional hearing and declined to do so.
I am not Epstein's victim.
The specific evidence or allegations that prompted Melania Trump to issue her statement at this time remain unclear, as does whether Congress will act on her call for public hearings for Epstein's victims. The full content and context of the email exchange between Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell mentioned in the Epstein files, along with the extent of Melania Trump's social interactions with Jeffrey Epstein beyond what she described, are not fully public. Additionally, it is uncertain whether Ambassador Paolo Zampolli will actually testify before Congress as he offered.
Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.
I met Donald Trump by chance at a New York City party in 1998.
The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event I and Donald Trump attended together.
I had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal undertakings at the time I first met him.
Fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years and are completely false.
I am not a witness or named witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes.
My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter.
I have never had any knowledge of Epstein's abuse of his victims.
I was never involved in any capacity with Epstein's activities, was not a participant, never on Epstein's plane, and never visited his private island.
I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior.
My attorneys have fought unfounded lies with success, and several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract lies about me, such as The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.
I call on Congress to provide the women victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around survivors, allowing them to testify under oath in front of Congress.
Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and her testimony should be permanently entered into the congressional record.
Congress should drop the Epstein matter and it's time to 'move on'.
Enough is enough and the lies must stop.