Melania Trump has made a stunning public statement to deny any friendship with the disgraced paedphile Jeffrey Epstein, saying that “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. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation,” she said during a rare public appearance at the White House that aired live across US networks on Thursday April 9, 2026.
“Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, and since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City, and Palm Beach,” she went on to say.
“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, [Ghislaine] Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”
Melania, whose decision to respond is a stunning about turn for the First Lady, who rarely comments about public speculation, went on to claim that “numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now”.
She said: “Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false.”
© Getty ImagesThe First Lady then called on “Congress to act” and give “a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors”.
“Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony. Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record. Then, and only then, will we have the truth.”
California Congressman Robert Garcia quickly responded on social media, sharing his support for the “call for a public hearing with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein”.
“We encourage Chairman Comer to respond to the First Lady’s request and schedule a public hearing immediately,” wrote Congressman Garcia.
© Getty ImagesIn November 2025, President Donald Trump signed legislation that was later passed by Congress requiring the justice department to release all material from its investigations into Epstein. The department has since released millions of documents, many of which were unredacted and revealing the names of many of the underage victims.
Millions more documents, however, remain undisclosed.
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appeared before the committee in February, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates will appear on June 10, 2026. Gates has not been accused of misconduct by any of Epstein’s victims.
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