First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare on-camera statement rejecting allegations linking her to financier Jeffrey Epstein. She said she was never friends with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” Melania Trump said. “I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation,” she said.
She said neither Epstein nor Maxwell played any role in her introduction to President Donald Trump. She said she met her husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.
Melania Trump said her first encounter with Epstein occurred in 2000 at a social event. She said she had no knowledge of his criminal conduct at the time.
“I have never been friends with Epstein,” she said. “I have never been involved in any capacity,” she said.
She said her name has not appeared in court documents, depositions, or FBI interviews related to Epstein. She also said she was never on Epstein’s plane or visited his private island.
Melania Trump warned about false information circulating online. “These images and stories are completely false,” she said.
She said legal action has already forced some individuals and organizations to retract statements. She said she would continue to defend her reputation.
First Lady Melania Trump’s full statement on denying relations with 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…
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 9, 2026
She also emphasized that overlapping social circles in New York and Palm Beach led to occasional encounters at events. She said such appearances should not be interpreted as any form of personal or professional relationship.
Following her remarks, several lawmakers and political figures responded publicly. Some expressed support for her statements and her call for further investigation.
First Lady Melania Trump’s Statement pic.twitter.com/fSEz24NEyg
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 9, 2026
Rep. Nancy Mace praised Melania Trump in a social media post. “Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims,” Mace said.
Mace also cited the first lady’s advocacy for legislation addressing the distribution of fake intimate images. “The truth will prevail,” Mace said.
Rep. Thomas Massie called for further action on the issue. “First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony,” Massie said.
Massie criticized officials over the handling of the case. “The DOJ needs to prosecute,” he said.
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also responded. “I am grateful to the First Lady for her brave statement today,” Greene said.
Greene said she agreed that victims should be heard. “The role of Congress is to legislate, not prosecute,” she said.
Democratic lawmakers also commented following the statement. Rep. Robert Garcia called for a public hearing.
“We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing,” Garcia said. “We encourage Chairman Comer to schedule a hearing immediately,” he said.
Garcia said the remarks renewed attention on the broader investigation. “The First Lady said two things,” Garcia said.
Garcia said she both pushed back on current handling of the case and supported public testimony from survivors. He said Congress should provide a forum for those accounts.
In her remarks, Melania Trump called on Congress to take action. “Now is the time for Congress to act,” she said.
She urged lawmakers to allow victims to testify under oath. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public,” she said.
Melania Trump said such testimony should be entered into the Congressional Record. “Then, and only then, will we have the truth,” she said.
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