First Lady Melania Trump released a statement on her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, condemning reports linking her to the disgraced financier.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Mrs. Trump emphasized that she “never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice,” Ghislaine Maxwell.
“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,” she declared. Mrs. Trump explained that the first time she met Epstein was in 2000 during an event she attended with President Trump.
The first lady went on to urge Congress to act, stating that lawmakers must “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 said. “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.”
Melania Trump has faced Epstein-related allegations from individuals and companies such as The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.
HarperCollins UK issued an apology to Mrs. Trump after a book claimed that she was introduced to her husband through Epstein. The Daily Beast similarly retracted an article that linked Mrs. Trump to Epstein, while Democratic strategist Carville apologized for his claims regarding the first lady and Epstein following a legal note from Trump’s lawyer.
