Melania Trump is pushing back on claims she was linked to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a surprise address at the White House.
‘I am not Epstein’s victim,’ the First Lady stated during the address on Thursday afternoon. ‘Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.’
Trump and Melania met that year at the Kit Kat Klub in New York when the former supermodel was 28 years old. Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agency boss who is serving as Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, claims he introduced the couple. They later married in 2005.
‘I’ve never been friends with Epstein,’ she added.
The announcement came as a shock, as there had not been recent revelations linking her to the disgraced financier, who the government says committed suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in August 2019.
Melania also made the eyebrow-raising remark that Epstein did not work ‘alone.’
Several prominent male executives have resigned as the scandal became increasingly politicized. Though that does not amount to the executives being guilty, she said, ‘we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.’
In a brief interview with MS NOW, President Trump said he didn’t ‘know anything about’ Melania’s statement ahead of time, adding ‘she didn’t know him,’ referring to Epstein.
Melania appeared highly nervous during the speech and was shaking, largely looking down at her notes. The First Lady did not take any questions before walking away from the podium.
She claimed that though she and the President had overlapping social circles with Epstein, they did not have a relationship. She also said that she never associated with Epstein’s criminal accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
She told the room that she first met Epstein in 2000 and that she was unaware of anything untoward. He was not accused until years later in 2005.
The First Lady said she had seen ‘fake images and statements’ linking her to Epstein on social media for years, and urged viewers to ‘be cautious about what you believe.’
‘These images and stories are completely false. I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes,’ 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,’ the First Lady continued. ‘My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.’
In a surprising move, Melania called on Congress to hold hearings with victims of Epstein’s abuse.
‘I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,’ she added.
What’s behind Melania’s push to control the narrative?
‘First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop,’ Marc Beckman, Exclusive Senior Advisor to First Lady Melania Trump, told the Daily Mail of the timing of the shocking update.
‘It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation,’ he added.
Melania also addressed an email she had sent to Maxwell that was published in January, saying that her response was to be polite, and it did not indicate a close relationship.
Buried in the tranche of more than three million Epstein Files is an email signed ‘Love, Melania’ that appears to be addressed to Maxwell.
The names of the sender and recipient of the October 23, 2002, email are redacted.
The message begins: ‘Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.’
That week, New York Magazine ran a now-infamous story headlined: ‘Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.’
The article featured a full-page color illustration of Epstein grinning alongside Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as the actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker board the aircraft.
The piece included a photo of Maxwell with Epstein at a black-tie event, as well as a photo of Donald Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria’s Secret party.
The email continues: ‘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!’
It is signed affectionately: ‘Love, Melania.’
