Former Model Claims Jeffrey Epstein, Not Zampolli, Introduced Melania to Trump

A former Brazilian model, Amanda Ungaro, claims that it was Jeffrey Epstein who introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump, not Paolo Zampolli, who has long taken credit for the introduction. Zampolli, a former modeling agent and Trump ally, previously stated he introduced the couple at a 1998 party in New York City.

Ungaro's allegations surfaced in a now-deleted video posted on X, where she directly accused Zampolli of fabricating the story. She asserts that Melania was an “escort” linked to Epstein and met Trump through him. “Let’s tell the public you never was the one introducing Melania to Trump. It was Jeffrey Epstein,” Ungaro declared in the video.

Ungaro's history with Epstein is notable. In 2002, at just 17 years old, she flew to New York on Epstein's private jet, infamously dubbed the “Lolita Express.” That same year, she met Zampolli at a Manhattan nightclub, where he recruited her as a modeling client and began a relationship that lasted two decades and produced a son.

Amanda Ungaro is claiming that Melania was an Escort for Epstein and that is how she met Trump. Video from @anthon7yandrews https://t.co/VwVk8E1ybr pic.twitter.com/jUrokbikkN

— Knoxie (@KnoxieLuv) June 1, 2026

Throughout their time together, Ungaro and Zampolli mingled with elite social circles, frequently appearing alongside Donald and Melania Trump at events in Mar-a-Lago. During Trump's presidency, Ungaro served as Grenada’s ambassador to the United Nations while Zampolli held an ambassadorial position for Dominica.

However, their relationship soured over time. In the summer of 2025, amid Trump's strict immigration policies, Ungaro faced arrest for fraud at her workplace and was subsequently jailed. Following her arrest, she was transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and deported back to Brazil.

In March, a report from the New York Times revealed that Zampolli had requested ICE detain Ungaro during an ongoing custody battle over their child. The report highlighted Zampolli's connections in Washington and his use of influence to solicit assistance from ICE.

Ungaro's claims starkly contrast with Melania Trump's statements made during a surprise press conference in April. Melania denounced what she called “mean-spirited and politically motivated lies” linking her to Epstein. She demanded an end to the allegations and criticized those spreading them as lacking ethical standards.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” Melania stated emphatically during her address.