Melania Trump says she never had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, calls claims defamatory

First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday forcefully dismissed speculation linking her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, urging an immediate end to what she described as damaging and unfounded claims. Speaking unexpectedly at the White House, she also called on lawmakers to convene hearings that would allow survivors of Epstein’s trafficking network to publicly share their experiences.

In a rare and unscheduled statement, Melania Trump rejected online narratives suggesting Epstein had introduced her to Donald Trump. She characterised such allegations as deliberate attempts to tarnish her reputation.

She clarified that her interaction with Epstein was limited to a brief encounter around 2000, emphasising that she had no knowledge of his crimes. She further stated that Epstein was never part of her personal or professional life and added that she did not know his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.