Melania Trump says rumours linking her to Epstein ‘need to stop’
Melania Trump says rumours linking her to Epstein ‘need to stop’
During a Thursday visit to the White House, Melania Trump, the First Lady, refuted claims of links to Jeffrey Epstein, asserting that allegations connecting the pair should cease immediately. She highlighted the need to halt ongoing narratives that she had ties to the disgraced financier. The surprise disclosure came without prior notice from her office, and the White House did not highlight the topic in its daily schedule. Trump emphasized her lack of involvement in Epstein’s activities, stating she had only briefly encountered him in 2000.
Call for congressional hearings
As part of her statement, Trump urged lawmakers to grant survivors of Epstein’s sex trafficking the chance to testify under oath before Congress. “Each woman should have her opportunity to share her story publicly,” she said, adding that their testimonies should be permanently recorded in the congressional record. This move is expected to stir renewed discussions about the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein case and the recent release of his files.
Denial of introduction rumors
Trump dismissed online rumors that Epstein introduced her to her husband, Donald Trump, labeling them as “mean-spirited attempts to damage my reputation.” She clarified she was not a participant in Epstein’s actions, stating she had no prior knowledge of his abuse of victims. Additionally, she denied familiarity with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s jailed associate, calling a 2002 email exchange between herself and Maxwell “casual correspondence” and “a polite reply.”
“It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them on the younger side,”
said Donald Trump in a New York Magazine article. The piece also featured quotes from him describing Epstein as “a terrific guy” and “a lot of fun to be with.” Melania referenced this article in her remarks, noting an email to “G” — likely Ghislaine Maxwell — that included praise for a photograph of “JE” and expressed anticipation for a trip to Palm Beach.
Political endorsement
Soon after her address, California Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, endorsed Trump’s request. “We agree with Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing,” Garcia stated, urging Chairman James Comer to act swiftly. The First Lady’s comments are poised to deepen scrutiny of the justice department’s investigation and its transparency.
