Melania Trump Goes Live on TV to Address Jeffrey Epstein Rumors and Emails with Ghislaine Maxwell
The first lady addressed the press on Thursday, April 9, warning people to stop spreading “lies” about her connection to the convicted sex offenders
Melania Trump made a rare live television appearance to respond to circulating rumors and online discussions. During the broadcast, she addressed claims that have recently gained attention across social media and news platforms
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said in the live address. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”
“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,” the first lady continued. “Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false.”
Melania, 55, refuted rumors that Epstein was the one who first introduced her to President Donald Trump, noting that her chance encounter with her future husband at a party in 1998 is documented in her recently released memoir, Melania.
“I’ve never been friends with Epstein,” the first lady continued. “Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.”
“The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings,” she added.
Melania also dismissed emails found in the Epstein files that show her in correspondence with Epstein’s girlfriend and alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell,” she said. “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”
Epstein, who had previous convictions for soliciting sex from a minor, died in prison in 2019 awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is currently serving time at a federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, after being convicted on sex trafficking charges in 2021 for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein.
Melania continued in her statement, “I’m not a witness or a 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.”
“I was not a participant. I was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” she added. “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.”
The first lady concluded her statement by saying, “Now is the time for Congress to act.”
“We still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth,” she said. “I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”
“Give these victims the 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. Then, and only then, we will have the truth.”
Members of the press attempted to ask follow-up questions, but the first lady departed before answering any.
