US First Lady Denies Ties to Infamous Character

First lady Melania Trump delivered a rare on-camera statement on April 9, 2026, at the White House, in which she denied having any relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

Speaking in the Grand Foyer of the White House, the first lady described allegations linking her to Epstein as baseless lies and false smears created by individuals seeking financial or political gain. She stated that the claims circulating on social media, including fake images, were intended to damage her reputation.

The address marked the first time Melania Trump has spoken on camera regarding the Epstein controversy. According to staff members, the decision to speak publicly was made because enough is enough and the lies must stop, according to senior adviser Marc Beckman.

Clarification of Social Ties and Timelines

During the news conference, Melania Trump addressed the nature of her and President Donald Trump’s proximity to Epstein and Maxwell. She acknowledged that the couple had been invited to the same parties as the two individuals, noting that overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach, where the couple maintains properties.

She clarified that she was never friends with Epstein or Maxwell and provided a specific timeline regarding her first encounter with the financier. She stated that she first crossed paths with Epstein in 2000 at an event she attended with Donald Trump. She emphasized that at that time, she had no knowledge of his criminal undertaking.

Melania Trump further denied claims that Epstein played a role in her introduction to her husband. She stated that she met President Trump by chance at a party in New York City in 1998, two years before her first encounter with Epstein. She stated that she is not a victim of Epstein and noted that her name has never appeared in court documents related to him.

The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop.

Melania Trump

Calls for Congressional Action

Beyond the personal denials, the first lady used her statement to call on Congress to hold a public hearing for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein.

The statement drew immediate reactions from political figures. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina who has advocated for the release of the Epstein files, praised the first lady on the social media platform X. Mace stated that Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims and commended her for her support of survivors.

Representative Mace also highlighted the first lady’s support for the Take It Down Act, legislation aimed at criminalizing the sharing of fake intimate images of women.

Legal and Political Context

The first lady’s remarks come at a time when the administration has signaled a desire to move past the Epstein issue. Both the president and the acting attorney general have previously suggested that the matter should be in the rearview mirror.

The statement also follows recent developments involving the Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee. On April 8, 2026, the Justice Department informed the committee that former Attorney General Pam Bondi would not comply with a subpoena to testify before the panel, which was scheduled for the following week.

Senior adviser Marc Beckman stated that the public and media should instead focus on the first lady’s achievements and her commitment to the nation.