First Lady Melania Trump’s Statement

First Lady Melania Trump issued a formal statement today categorically denying any personal or professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. In her remarks, she denounced what she described as "mean-spirited" and "politically motivated" attempts to link her to Epstein’s criminal activities.Key highlights of the statement include:Categorical Denials: Mrs. Trump stated that she was never friends with Epstein and had no relationship with him or Maxwell. She clarified that any social overlap was the result of common social circles in New York and Palm Beach and that her only direct contact with Maxwell was a "trivial" and "casual" email reply.Correction of Public Records: The First Lady clarified that she was not introduced to Donald Trump by Epstein. She noted that she met her husband by chance at a party in 1998, as documented in her book, MELANIA, and did not even cross paths with Epstein until 2000.Lack of Involvement: Mrs. Trump emphasized that she has never been a participant in, witness to, or subject of any investigation regarding Epstein’s crimes. She stated she was never on his plane, never visited his private island, and had no knowledge of his abuse of victims.Legal Action against Defamation: The statement notes that her legal team has successfully secured retractions and apologies from several entities—including The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK—regarding false claims about her past.Call for Congressional Action: Closing her remarks, Mrs. Trump called on Congress to hold public hearings for the women victimized by Epstein. She urged lawmakers to allow survivors to provide sworn testimony under oath and enter their stories into the permanent Congressional Record to achieve full transparency and "uncover the truth."The First Lady characterized the ongoing rumors as "baseless lies" intended to damage her reputation for political and financial gain, asserting her commitment to maintaining her name while advocating for justice for Epstein's survivors.