Melania Trump denies Epstein ties in rare White House statement, calls on Congress to hear survivors
The first lady declared "I am not Epstein's victim" and called on Congress to hold public hearings for survivors -- the most extensive public remarks she has made on any policy matter since returning to the White House.
First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare prepared statement from the White House on April 9, denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein and demanding Congress give his victims a forum to testify.
"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."
Reading from prepared remarks in the Grand Foyer, Trump spoke for roughly five minutes before leaving without taking questions.
What she said
Trump addressed several specific claims that have circulated since the federal release of Epstein-related documents:
- She said Epstein did not introduce her to Donald Trump. She met her husband "by chance" at a New York City party in 1998 -- two years before she says she first encountered Epstein.
- She acknowledged an email exchange with Ghislaine Maxwell but characterized it as nothing more than "casual correspondence" and a "trivial note." The 2002 email, released by the DOJ on January 30, showed Melania writing to Maxwell about a New York Magazine story and Palm Beach plans, signed "Love, Melania." Maxwell replied addressing her as "Sweet pea."
- She stated she was never on Epstein's plane, never visited his island, and has never appeared in any court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews related to the case.
"I am not Epstein's victim. I am not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes."
The call for hearings
The most substantive part of the statement was her call for congressional action:
"Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. 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 specifically asked for public hearings centered on survivors, with sworn testimony entered into the Congressional Record.
"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."
What prompted this
The statement comes after the Department of Justice published 3.5 million pages of Epstein-related documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed into law on November 19, 2025, after the House passed it 427-1. The released materials include over 180,000 images and 2,000 videos.
Among the documents was the 2002 Maxwell-Melania email exchange and a photograph from Epstein's home showing Donald and Melania Trump alongside Epstein and Maxwell.
Trump noted in her statement that she has already taken legal action against several parties. "My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success," she said, citing The Daily Beast, James Carville, and HarperCollins UK as entities that were "legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies."