Survivors of the notorious financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have voiced their reactions following First Lady Melania Trump’s surprising claim that she is not one of them.
In a collective response, these victims criticized the First Lady for allegedly ‘redirecting attention’ from their ordeal and shielding ‘those in authority’. This came after Melania Trump urged Congress to conduct hearings with the victims.
“Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already demonstrated remarkable bravery by stepping forward, filing reports, and providing testimony,” stated the victims’ joint message, endorsed by 15 women who have accused Epstein of sex trafficking.
“Demanding more from them now is not justice, but a diversion of accountability.”
The statement further accused Melania of “placing the burden on survivors under politicized circumstances that safeguard those in power: the Department of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Trump Administration, which still hasn’t fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”
The the Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Trump Administration to publish all files related to Epstein’s crimes.
In addition, they claimed the attention was a distraction from pressuring officials who are being subpoenaed to testify on their role in releasing the files.
‘It also diverts attention from Pam Bondi, who must answer for withheld files and the exposure of survivors’ identities,’ the victims said of the ousted Attorney General. ‘Those failures continue to put lives at risk while shielding enablers.’
‘Survivors have done their part,’ they concluded. ‘Now, it’s time for those in power to do theirs.’
Melania Trump denied rumors on Thursday that she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s
Epstein’s victims (pictured in February) argued they have already done their part, after Melania called on Congress to hold hearings with the victims
The victims called out ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding documents related to Epstein’s case and exposing some of the victims’ identitities
It remains unclear why the First Lady decided to publicly deny any connection with Epstein on Thursday, as there have not been any recent revelations or reporting linking them.
Still, she told reporters from the Cross Hall of the White House: ‘I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.’
Trump and Melania met in 1998 at the Kit Kat Klub in New York when she was 28 years old. Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agency boss who is serving as Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, claims he introduced the couple who married in 2005.
Melania also said in her address that she has ‘never been friends with Epstein’ and denied any intimacy with Ghislaine Maxwell after an email to the British socialite appeared in the files released by the Justice Department.
She said she first met the financier in 2000 and was unaware of any allegations against him; as it was five years that he was publicly accused of sex trafficking.
The First Lady then 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,’ she said.
‘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.
‘My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.’
Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in February 2000. Melania said she first met Epstein that year
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
Melania went on to call for justice in the Epstein case, noting that he did not work alone and that several prominent male executives had resigned as the scandal grew increasingly politicized.
That did not amount to guilt, she said, but added, ‘we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.’
Melania also addressed an email she sent Maxwell that was uncovered in the Epstein files in January, insisting her reply was merely polite and did not indicate a close relationship.
‘My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note,’ Melania said.
Buried in the tranche of more than three million Epstein Files is an email signed ‘Love, Melania’ that appears to be addressed to Maxwell.
The names of the sender and recipient are redacted in the October 23, 2002 email.
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.
Melania seemed nervous throughout her address on Thursday, after which she declined to take any questions
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!’
The First Lady seemed visibly nervous throughout her address on Thursday, trembling and looking down at her notes rather than into the camera. She took no questions before walking away from the podium.
But Marc Beckman, Exclusive Senior Advisor to First Lady Melania Trump, later told the Daily Mail: ‘First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop.
‘It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation.’
Epstein was found hanged in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy.
Melania Trump’s full remarks on Jeffrey Epstein:
Good afternoon. The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. 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. I have never been friends 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 and Palm Beach.
To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note. I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.
This initial encounter with my husband is documented in a detail in my book, Melania. 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. 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. 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.
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 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.
My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation. To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville and Harper Collins UK. Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone.
Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth. I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with the public hearing specifically centered around the survivors. Give these victims their 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. Thank you.
