Epstein Survivors Criticize Melania Trump

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have accused Melania Trump of shifting the burden onto victims following a public statement the first lady delivered at the White House on April 9, 2026.

In her remarks, Melania Trump sought to distance herself from the deceased financier and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. She stated that she never had a relationship with Epstein and Maxwell, further clarifying that she was not a victim of Epstein and that he did not introduce her to Donald Trump.

As part of her statement, the first lady called on Congress to conduct public hearings featuring sworn testimony from victims of Epstein. This call for public testimony prompted a critical response from a group of survivors who released a joint statement to the media on the evening of April 9, 2026.

Survivors’ Response to the White House Statement

The group of survivors alleged that Melania Trump’s request for more testimony is a move to protect those in power and a deflection of responsibility rather than a pursuit of justice. They argued that the first lady is placing the burden on survivors under politicized conditions to shield law enforcement, prosecutors, the Department of Justice, and other powerful entities.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports, and giving testimony. Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility, not justice.

Joint statement from Epstein survivors

The survivors’ statement further asserted that the first lady’s comments serve to divert attention away from former attorney general Pam Bondi. The group stated that Bondi must answer for the exposure of survivors’ identities and the withholding of files, failures which they claim continue to put lives at risk while shielding enablers.

Context of the Statement

Melania Trump delivered her scripted remarks from a podium in the same room Donald Trump used the previous week to address the nation regarding the war in Iran. It remained unclear which specific accusations led the first lady to issue this public response.

The call for public testimony follows previous actions by the House oversight committee, which held closed sessions with several victims during the fall of 2025.

The survivors concluded their response by stating that they have already fulfilled their part in the process and that it is now time for those in power to do theirs.