First Lady Melania Trump has delivered an unexpected White House address demanding an immediate end to what she characterised as “false smears” linking her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, whilst calling for Congressional hearings centred on the sex offender’s abuse survivors.
“The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop,” Mrs Trump declared during Thursday afternoon’s surprise statement.
The First Lady dismissed years of social media speculation connecting her to Epstein as “completely false,” urging audiences to “be cautious about what you believe” whilst insisting: “I am not Epstein’s victim. I’ve never been friends with Epstein.”
Her intervention addressed persistent online claims despite no recent revelations substantiating such connections to the financier who allegedly committed suicide whilst awaiting sex trafficking trial in August 2019.
Mrs Trump emphatically denied Epstein facilitated her introduction to Donald Trump, stating: “I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998,” and acknowledged first encountering the financier only in 2000 whilst claiming ignorance of his criminal activities.
She additionally rejected associations with Epstein’s criminal associate Ghislaine Maxwell, though a redacted 23 October 2002 email signed “Love, Melania” published amongst three million Epstein files in January appears addressed to Maxwell.
The message—sent following New York Magazine’s infamous “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery” feature—stated: “Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.”
Mrs Trump characterised the correspondence as politeness rather than indicating close relationships, explaining away what critics have cited as evidence of familiarity between the women.
The magazine piece included photographs of Maxwell with Epstein at black-tie events alongside images of Donald Trump conversing with the financier at a Victoria’s Secret party, documenting overlapping social circles Mrs Trump acknowledged whilst denying substantive relationships.
“I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes,” she stated, condemning “baseless lies” whilst vowing to “maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.”
In an unexpected pivot, Mrs Trump called for transparency regarding Epstein’s network: “I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”
She noted Epstein “did not work alone” and several prominent male executives resigned as the scandal became politicised, though such departures do not necessarily indicate guilt.
