First Lady Melania Trump delivers remarks at the 19th International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare public statement from the White House on Thursday, forcefully rejecting claims tying her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Speaking for roughly three minutes from the Grand Foyer, Trump denounced what she described as false and defamatory reports about her past interactions with Epstein, while also calling on Congress to hear directly from victims and formally enter their testimony into the public record.
“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,” Trump said. “I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”
🚨 BREAKING: First Lady Melania Trump is addressing the nation FORMALLY DENYING rumors that she had any sort of relationship with Epstein
"I have never been friends with Epstein."
"I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by… pic.twitter.com/aNEwrfibHf
Trump emphasized that she was never a victim of Epstein and rejected any suggestion that she had a meaningful relationship with him. She acknowledged a single email exchange with Maxwell, describing it as insignificant.
An email included in a large batch of Epstein-related documents released by Congress shows Trump writing to Maxwell in October 2002, complimenting an article about Epstein published in New York Magazine and signing off with “Love, Melania.” Addressing that correspondence, the first lady said it “cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence,” referring to it as a “casual” or “tribal note.”
She also clarified that her connection to Epstein was limited to overlapping social circles in New York and Palm Beach.
“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,” she said.
Trump further pushed back on claims that Epstein introduced her to her husband.
“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” she said, adding that she met Donald Trump at a party in New York. She noted she first encountered Epstein in 2000—two years after meeting her future husband.
The first lady also firmly denied ever being involved in any wrongdoing connected to Epstein, stating she was never involved in sex trafficking and never traveled on Epstein’s plane or visited his private island.
In addition to defending her own record, Trump called on lawmakers to shift focus toward Epstein’s victims.
She urged Congress to hold a public hearing “specifically centered around the survivors,” advocating for their testimony to be formally recognized.
Trump also highlighted past legal disputes over claims about her alleged ties to Epstein, noting that several individuals and organizations have issued retractions or apologies.
“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 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. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.”
The Daily Beast, for example, removed a story last year alleging Trump had been “very involved” with Epstein, later stating the article “did not meet our standards.”
The appearance, described by a White House official beforehand as a “statement” rather than a formal announcement, did not include questions from the press.
BREAKING: Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich reveals Melania Trump's statement pushing back on false connections to Jeffrey Epstein "came out of left field" for reporters at the White House:
