US4 min(s) read
Published 08:48 10 Apr 2026 GMT
Trump makes astonishing claim about wife Melania after Epstein bombshell
POTUS has commented on Melania Trump's recent White House address, where she addressed rumors linking her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Melania addressed the nation last night in a public statement in the Grand Foyer of the White House and denied that she was a victim of Epstein's.
She also stated that the convicted sex offender had not introduced her to her husband, Donald Trump, in a statement which caught many off guard.
There was no clear reason for the announcement as there weren't any new revelations or reports claiming to link the First Lady to Epstein.
During her statement, Melania, who was a model when she met the president, said that they only saw Epstein in the New York-Palm Beach social set in a "common" overlap.
Trump blindsided by Melania's statement
While many US citizens were shocked by the timing of the statement, it's been reported that Trump himself did not know of Melania's surprise White House address.
Speaking to an MS Now journalist, the president admitted that he "didn't know anything about' Melania's statement before her appearance on camera.
The 79-year-old also claimed that "she didn't know [Epstein]" before hanging up the phone.
He separately addressed an email from Melania to convicted child sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, claiming it "cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence.”
Melania claims she was not a victim
FLOTUS said from Cross Hall on Thursday, April 9: "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."
She clarified that she'd "never been friends with Epstein" and denied having a personal relationship with Maxwell, despite an email to her appearing in the controversial Epstein files.
The First Lady's exclusive senior advisor, Marc Beckman, 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."
Melania, 55, looked nervous as the statement went on, as she could be seen looking down at her notes often, instead of into the camera.
The First Lady said she'd met Epstein in 2000 and was unaware of his crimes, before taking no questions and walking away from the podium.
FLOTUS addresses "fake" media circulating
Despite there being no known new material linked to Melania, she claimed that she had seen "fake images and statements" linking her to Epstein on social media over the years.
She urged viewers to "be cautious about what you believe."
Melania added: "These images and stories are completely false. I'm not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes.
"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."
She then called on Congress to hold hearings with Epstein's victims in a shock move, as 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."
"We still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth," she claimed.
Email to Ghislane Maxwell
Melania also addressed an email sent from her to Maxwell which was signed "Love, Melania."
"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," she claimed of the October 2002 email.
The email read: "Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.
"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!
"Love, Melania."