First woman Melania Trump listens as U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) delivers remarks throughout an Independence Day army household picnic on the South Garden of the White Home on July 04, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Samuel Corum/Getty Photos North America
First woman Melania Trump made a uncommon public assertion on Thursday denying that she had shut ties to the late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein and calling on Congress to permit victims to testify.
“I’m not Epstein’s sufferer,” Melania Trump stated. “Epstein didn’t introduce me to [President] Donald Trump.” It was not instantly clear why the primary woman was addressing this challenge publicly. However included within the Epstein information launched by the Justice Division was a closely redacted FBI interview that included the declare Epstein launched the Trumps.
“I’ve by no means had any data of Epstein’s abuse of his victims,” she continued. “I used to be by no means concerned in any capability.”
The primary woman requested Congress “to behave” and maintain public hearings permitting Epstein victims to testify.
“Epstein was not alone,” Melania Trump stated. “I name on Congress to supply the ladies who’ve been victimized by Epstein with a public listening to particularly centered across the survivors. Give these victims their alternative to testify underneath oath in entrance of Congress.”
Melania Trump made the general public assertion from the White Home in entrance of cameras Thursday afternoon and didn’t take any questions from reporters. The denial comes a day after the DOJ stated former Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi wouldn’t seem for a subpoena earlier than the Home Oversight Committee on April 14. The subpoena addressed her dealing with of the DOJ paperwork about Epstein.
Melania Trump’s title seems within the newest tranche of paperwork printed on the finish of January.
Donald Trump can be talked about within the information, as the 2 males have been pals earlier than falling out. The president has additionally denied any wrongdoing or data of Epstein’s alleged crimes. An NPR investigation in February discovered that paperwork naming the president have been withheld from the information. A few of these information have been later printed.
In an obvious e-mail to Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, Melania Trump complimented how Maxwell appeared in a photograph, and instructed her to “give me a name if you find yourself again in NY.” She signed it, “Love, Melania.” Maxwell was convicted on sex-trafficking costs in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence. Melania Trump stated she had a “informal” e-mail correspondence in her assertion.
“My e-mail reply to Maxwell can’t be categorized as something greater than informal correspondence,” Melania Trump stated. “My well mannered reply to her e-mail does not quantity to something greater than a trivial notice.”
The primary woman stated the primary time she met Epstein was in 2000 at an occasion she and Donald Trump attended. She stated that “faux pictures and statements” about her and Epstein have been circulating on social media for years now.
“Be cautious about what you consider,” she stated. “These pictures and tales are fully false.”
She additionally stated she by no means visited Epstein’s island or flew on Epstein’s non-public aircraft.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein want to finish immediately,” she stated.
