WASHINGTON — Melania Trump reignited interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case Thursday by shockingly declaring she wasn’t the dead sex trafficker’s victim or accomplice — and then urging Congress to hold public hearings with victims to expose his associates.
The first lady delivered her stunning remarks in the ornate foyer of the White House, stoking speculation that she was trying to get ahead of a looming news report.
“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” the publicity-wary former fashion model declared.
“Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach. To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, [Ghislaine] Maxwell.”
“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity,” she said.
“I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island.”
The first lady acknowledged in her nearly 6-minute appearance the authenticity of a 2002 email chain between herself and Maxwell, which was released by the Justice Department in January, but said it was “trivial.”
“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,” she said.
That email read: “Dear GI How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania.”
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Maxwell responded: “Sweet pea – thanks for your message. Actually plans changed again and I am now on my way back to NY… so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly. I will try and call though.”
Maxwell is the only person convicted in the Epstein case and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Epstein himself died awaiting trial in 2019 in an alleged jailhouse suicide.
The first lady blasted what she called “lies” swirling from “mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically,” and noted three high-profile retractions.
She threatened additional legal action against anyone making false allegations and criticized what she said were fake images and bogus stories swirling online.
Melania Trump’s plan to make the statement was announced more than 24 hours in advance and it was initially assumed to be about a less incendiary subject. What role the president had in the drafting of the remarks is unclear.
The first lady’s call for Congress to hold hearings is particularly notable because many of her spouse’s allies have heeded his assertion that interest in the case amounted to a Democratic “hoax” designed to smear him for his prior association with Epstein.
The president tried unsuccessfully last year to derail a bipartisan transparency law mandating the release of FBI files, which he said sought to undermine his administration’s successes, before ultimately backing it and arguing he had nothing to hide.
‘Epstein was not alone’
Melania Trump positioned herself boldly in demanding further inquiries after many Republicans assumed that the matter was receding from focus after the feeding frenzy that peaked in January with the mass-release of FBI files.
“Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone,” the first lady said.
“Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth,” she said.
“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with 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.”
The first lady added: “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 we will have the truth.”
It’s unclear why she chose to hold the press event at a time when the White House is trying to move on from the Epstein saga that has been a drag on her husband’s second term.
The president and Epstein were friends until the early 2000s, with Donald Trump saying they had a falling-out over the predator poaching spa staff from his Mar-a-Lago resort.
“First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough,” said her senior adviser Marc Beckman.
“The lies must stop. It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation.”
Melania Trump was a model and was dating Trump during his friendship with Epstein, a wealthy financier. The first couple was pictured with Epstein and Maxwell at several events in the ‘90s and early 2000s — including a party at Mar-a-Lago also attended by Prince Andrew.
Her statement appeared in part an effort to push back against author Michael Wolff, who claimed the notorious pedophile introduced her to the future president.
There is ongoing court litigation.
Wolff sued the first lady after she threatened a $1 billion lawsuit against him for his reporting.
In her memoir, Trump said the first couple met at a fashion party in the 1990s and were introduced by a mutual friend who was at the event. In her remarks Thursday, she specified it was in 1998.
Wolff is seeking to depose Melania.
The first lady has been just as aggressive in her legal fights, winning Epstein-related retractions and apologies from the Daily Beast and James Carville.
