In a rare and unannounced address from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday publicly and forcefully denied any personal connection to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Calling the allegations “baseless lies” and “mean-spirited attempts” to damage her reputation, the First Lady spoke from the East Room before a small, invited press pool — an unusual step underscoring both the personal and political weight of her remarks.
Key Denials and Clarifications
In her prepared statement, Mrs. Trump sought to dispel several points of longstanding speculation about her past associations. She insisted she “never had a friendship or personal relationship” with Epstein or Maxwell.
Addressing rumors that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, she said their first encounter occurred “by chance” at a New York party in 1998. She stated explicitly, “I am not Epstein’s victim,” and denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island or traveling on his private jet.
She acknowledged that she had “occasionally crossed paths” with Epstein in New York and Palm Beach social circles but stressed she had “no knowledge of his crimes at the time.”
Addressing the 2002 Correspondence
The First Lady also commented on a resurfaced 2002 email she once sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, excerpts of which were recently made public through court filings. Describing it as “casual correspondence,” she explained the email was a “trivial and polite reply,” not evidence of a deeper connection.
The note, reportedly addressed to “G,” referred to a magazine feature and mentioned a future visit to Palm Beach — details that sparked online debate about her ties to Epstein’s social network.
A Call for Congressional Hearings
In a striking departure from the defensive tone of her earlier remarks, Mrs. Trump concluded by urging the US Congress to hold public hearings for Epstein’s survivors.
“Those who suffered deserve their voices heard in the open, under oath, and without fear,” she said. “Only the truth will bring closure.”
The appeal placed her somewhat at odds with some senior administration figures who have privately expressed a desire to “move on” from the politically sensitive case.
Reactions from the Public and Political Leaders
The surprise address drew immediate responses from across the political spectrum.
President Donald Trump told reporters he was unaware of his wife’s planned statement but defended her right to “speak out against fake news.”
Some survivors of Epstein’s abuse, however, called the remarks “baffling” and accused the First Lady of shifting the focus away from accountability and transparency.
Democratic lawmakers, including House Oversight Committee member Robert Garcia, praised her call for survivor hearings and urged the administration to release the remaining Epstein-related government records.
As of Friday morning, the White House had not indicated whether such hearings or disclosures were under consideration.
