US5 min(s) read
Published 14:23 10 Apr 2026 GMT
Here’s everything Melania Trump has said about Jeffrey Epstein in her bombshell White House address.
On Thursday (April 9), the First Lady directly addressed rumors linking her to the disgraced financier, making it clear she rejects them entirely.
"Good afternoon. The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," she began. "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."
Throughout her statement, the 55-year-old repeatedly emphasized that she had no personal ties to Epstein.
"I have never been friends with Epstein," she said. "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."
She also addressed an email she sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, which 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."
She insisted the message "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 went on to outline exactly when she first encountered Epstein.
"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,” she said.
She also rejected a widely circulated rumor about her relationship with her husband, stating: “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 detail in my book, MELANIA.”
The First Lady issued a denial of any involvement in Epstein’s crimes: "I am 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."
She added: "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, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.”
Melania also stressed: "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.
Addressing online speculation, she warned the public: "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."
She went further, stating: "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 The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK," she added.
The First Lady called for transparency, saying: "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 a 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."
She concluded: "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, will we have the truth."
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