In an unexpected, and extraordinary, public statement Melania Trump has denied “baseless lies” that she was friends with Jeffrey Epstein, insisted the sex offender didn’t introduce her to Donald Trump and said she wasn’t an Epstein “victim”.
The US First Lady conceded she and Donald Trump had been invited to parties with Epstein but insisted she only had a “casual correspondence” with Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
She also said there should be a public hearing for the victims of the late disgraced financier.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she told reporters in a live broadcast from the White House in Washington DC on Thursday, US time.
“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims, I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.
“I am not Epstein’s victim.”
‘Fake images’
She went on to say that “numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now”.
“Be cautious about what you believe.
“These images and stories are completely false”.
It was unclear what images Mrs Trump was referring too.
Then known as Melania Knuass, she said she first met Donald Trump “by chance” at a party in New York in 1998.
“Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” the First Lady said.
The first time she “crossed paths” with Epstein, she said, was in 2000 at and event both she and her future husband attended.
“At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings”.
She added that she, Donald Trump and Epstein were in “overlapping social circles” of the well-connected in New York and Florida.
But Mrs Trump denied she had a “relationship” with Epstein or Maxwell.
‘A trivial note’
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice released an email related to Ghsilaine Maxwell.
The October 2002 email said “Dear G!” spoke about “JE” and was signed off: “Love Melania”.
“My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorised as anything more than casual correspondence,” she insisted.
“My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”
It is not clear if Mrs Trump was referring to that email.
‘Baseless lies’
The Trumps, Epstein and Maxwell have been photographed together at a social occasion. But the connections between them were limited, she said.
“I’m not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes. My name has never appeared in court documents, the depositions, victim statements or FBI in interviews surrounding the Epstein matter.
“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein, sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behaviour”.
She said “false smears” about her and Epstein were being pushed by “mean spirited and politically motivated individuals”.
“My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.”
Call for public hearings on Epstein
Mrs Trump said there should be public hearings to “uncover the truth” about Epstein.
“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimised by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centred 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“.
