US First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public statement on Thursday, April 9, clarifying her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
In the statement, she strongly denies having any connection with the convicted sex offender.
She said that “the lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein must end today.”
The statement was made at the White House, where the 55-year-old said clearly: “I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.”
“I was never involved in any way. I was not a participant,” she added.
Despite denying any connection, she acknowledged sending a heartfelt 2002 email to Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
However, she said it was a “casual correspondence” and “a polite response” that is “no more than a trivial note.”
In the specific email, Melania wrote to Maxwell: “Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great in the pic… Love Melania.”
She denied all claims of being introduced to Trump by Epstein, explaining that she first met Epstein in 2000 at an event where he was already with the president.
In addition, she also called on Congress to give all of Epstein’s victims a public hearing.
She said, “Every woman should have her day to tell her story publicly if she wants to, and then her testimony should be permanently inscribed in the Congressional record.”
