Melania Trump says rumours linking her to Epstein ‘need to stop’
Melania Trump says rumors linking her to Epstein ‘need to stop’
First Lady Melania Trump has dismissed rumors connecting her to Jeffrey Epstein, stating that such claims “must cease immediately” during a press briefing at the White House. The surprise disclosure came on Thursday, as she advocated for congressional hearings involving survivors of Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking network. She also refuted online assertions that Epstein had introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them “cynical efforts to tarnish my image.”
Her office had not previously signaled an intention to address Epstein, and the White House did not mention the topic when scheduling her remarks. Melania emphasized she was not a victim of Epstein’s activities, having only briefly met him in 2000. “I have never been aware of Epstein’s abuse of his victims,” she asserted. “I was not involved in any way. I was not a participant.”
She further denied familiarity with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s jailed associate. A 2002 email exchange between Melania and Maxwell, disclosed in the Epstein files, was described by the first lady as “casual correspondence” and a “polite reply.” The email, addressed to “G”—likely referring to Maxwell—includes a compliment on a photo of “JE” from New York Magazine and expresses anticipation for a visit to Palm Beach.
“It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them on the younger side,” Donald Trump was quoted as saying in the article. “No doubt about it—Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
Melania urged lawmakers to “grant these women the chance to testify under oath before Congress with the force of sworn evidence.” “Each individual should have the opportunity to share her story publicly, and her testimony should be permanently recorded in the congressional archives,” she said. “Only then will the truth emerge.”
Democratic representative endorses call for hearings
Soon after her remarks, California Democrat Robert Garcia, the most influential member of the House Oversight Committee, released a statement supporting Melania’s initiative. “We concur with Melania Trump’s demand for a public hearing,” Garcia said. “We urge Chairman Comer to act on her request and arrange an immediate session,” he added, referring to James Comer, the committee’s head.
The first lady’s remarks are expected to reignite fervent discussions about the justice department’s handling of the Epstein case and the subsequent release of its documents. While Donald Trump acknowledged knowing Epstein, he later claimed the financier was expelled from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach for being a “creep.” The president is frequently mentioned in the Epstein files, but no evidence of misconduct is indicated.
