Melania Trump Denies Links to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

First lady Melania Trump issued a public denial on April 9, 2026, rejecting claims that linked her to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

During a six-minute livestreamed statement delivered from the White House, Trump described the allegations as false and damaging to her reputation. She stated that the lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.

The remarks followed the Justice Department’s release of extensive Epstein records, which brought renewed public attention to the social connections of high-profile figures associated with the financier.

Denial of Personal Ties

Trump denied having any friendship or relationship with either Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. She characterized her connection to Epstein as limited, stating that she only briefly crossed paths with him in 2000.

Addressing the nature of their association, the first lady explained that she and her husband attended the same parties as Epstein from time to time. She attributed this to the fact that overlapping social circles are common in Palm Beach and New York City.

Trump specifically rejected online rumors suggesting that Epstein had introduced her to Donald Trump, calling such claims mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.

Regarding the criminal activities associated with Epstein, Trump stated she had no knowledge of the abuse of his victims and asserted, I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant.

While reports mentioned emails from the early 2000s linked to Maxwell, Trump described such correspondence as casual and not indicative of a deeper connection.

Call for Congressional Action

In a surprise development, the first lady used her statement to call for congressional hearings specifically for the survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking.

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. 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.

Melania Trump

The call for public testimony drew a response from the House Oversight Committee. Representative Robert Garcia of California described the first lady’s remarks as pretty stunning.

Garcia noted that Democrats had been requesting such hearings for months but were repeatedly told it was not possible. He welcomed the call to hear directly from survivors, adding that the first lady’s statement highlighted that We find still powerful men out there and stories to be told.

Internal and External Reactions

The timing and nature of the announcement appeared to surprise several people within the White House and the president’s political circle. President Donald Trump told MS NOW that he did not know about the statement before it was made and added that she didn’t know [Epstein].

A White House official involved in external communications told MS NOW that many staffers were caught off guard by the remarks. While a spokesperson for Melania Trump told the New York Times that the president knew a statement was planned, it remained unclear if he was aware of the specific topic.

Reactions from Epstein survivors were mixed. Lisa Phillips described the intervention as a bold move, though she questioned what additional steps the first lady could take to support the accusers.

Trump concluded her remarks by criticizing those spreading the allegations, stating that the individuals lying about her are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. She declined to take questions from reporters following the statement.