“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” declared Melania Trump during a statement from the White House on Thursday.
In a firm rebuttal, she criticized those spreading falsehoods about her, stating, “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect.” She expressed her disdain for what she described as mean-spirited attempts to tarnish her reputation.
Clarifying her relationship with Epstein, she emphasized, “I have never been friends with Epstein.” She noted that while she and Donald Trump occasionally attended the same social events as Epstein, this was typical of their social circles in New York City and Palm Beach.
“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell,” she continued. Her email correspondence with Maxwell was characterized as “casual,” dismissing it as trivial.
Melania recounted her first encounter with Donald Trump at a New York City party in 1998, asserting that Epstein did not introduce them. “The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000,” she stated, adding that she had no prior knowledge of his criminal activities.
She addressed the proliferation of false images and statements about her connection to Epstein circulating on social media, urging caution among the public. “These images and stories are completely false,” she asserted.
“I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes,” she clarified, emphasizing that her name has never appeared in any legal documents related to the case.
Melania firmly stated, “I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims,” and reiterated that she was never involved in any capacity with his illicit activities.
“The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals must stop,” she urged. She highlighted her legal battles against these unfounded claims, noting that several entities have been compelled to retract their statements.
“Now is the time for Congress to act,” she called out, pointing to the need for transparency in addressing the broader implications of Epstein’s actions. She urged Congress to hold public hearings for the women victimized by Epstein, advocating for their voices to be heard under oath.
“Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public,” Melania insisted, emphasizing the importance of documenting their testimonies in the Congressional Record. “Then, and only then, will we have the truth.”
