Melania Trump summoned reporters to the White House for a surprise six-minute statement addressing years of rumors linking her to Jeffrey Epstein. She denied any relationship with the convicted sex offender, stated she was never a victim, and more.
Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
Melania directly refuted claims that Jeffrey Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump. “Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998,” she said. Melania referenced her book for documentation of that encounter. Paolo Zampolli, the Italian modeling agent who has long claimed credit for the introduction, affirmed her account from Milan, stating, “I’m ready to testify in Congress.”
The First Lady acknowledged limited social overlap with Epstein. “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,” she explained. Melania identified 2000 as the first time she “crossed paths with Epstein” at an event she attended with her husband.
Furthermore, she addressed a 2002 email she sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, in which she praised a New York magazine profile of Jeffrey Epstein. “To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.”
Melania further stated she was “never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.” Whereas, President Donald Trump’s name has appeared on Epstein’s flight logs, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged visiting the island.
The First Lady concluded by calling on Congress to give Epstein’s victims a public hearing. “Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress,” she said. The White House did not respond to questions about what the president knew and when. Reporters shouted, “Why now!?” as Melania Trump exited without answering questions (via New York Times).
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
