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In an unexpected statement from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump has firmly denied any association with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I am not Epstein’s victim,” she declared during her Thursday afternoon address. “Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.”
She emphasized, “I’ve never been friends with Epstein.”
The First Lady’s announcement was surprising, particularly because there have been no recent reports suggesting a connection between her and Epstein, who died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Melania Trump clarified that although she and President Trump shared some social circles with Epstein, they were not personally acquainted. She also mentioned that she had no dealings with Epstein’s alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
She told the room that she first met Epstein in 2000 and that she was unaware of his criminal undertakings.Â
The First Lady said she had seen ‘fake images and statements’ linking her to Epstein on social media for years, and urged viewers to ‘be cautious about what you believe.’
‘These images and stories are completely false. I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.’Â
‘I’ve never been friends with Epstein,’ Melania Trump said during an address at the White House on Thursday afternoon
The First Lady said that rumors on social media that linked her to Epstein are false, and that she met Donald Trump at a party in 1998, not through the late sex offender
‘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. ‘Baseless lies with success and continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.’
In a surprising move, Melania called on congress to hold hearings with victims of Epstein’s abuse.Â
‘I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,’ she added.Â
Melania noted how Epstein did not work alone and that several prominent male executives resigned as the scandal became increasingly politicized.Â
Though that does not amount to the executive’s being guilty, ‘we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.’
She also addressed an email that she had sent to Maxwell that was published in January, saying that her response was to be polite, and it did not indicate a close relationship.Â
Buried in the tranche of more than three million Jeffrey Epstein files, is an email signed ‘Love, Melania’ that appears to be addressed to Ghislaine Maxwell.
The names of the sender and recipient of the October 23, 2002, email are redacted.
Donald Trump and his then-girlfriend Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000
Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party at Manhattan’s Laura Belle club in April 1997
Ghislaine Maxwell attends a Theo Fennell party at the Cafe Royal, London, November 10, 1996
The message begins: ‘Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.’
That week, New York Magazine ran a now-infamous story headlined: ‘Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.’
The article featured a full-page color illustration of Epstein grinning alongside Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as the actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker board the aircraft.
The piece included a photo of Maxwell with Epstein at a black tie event, as well as a photo of Donald Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party.
The email continues: ‘I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!’
It is signed affectionately: ‘Love, Melania.’