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Updated 10 April 2026 - First Lady Melania Trump addressed reporters at the White House, denying any connection to Jeffrey Epstein and urging lawmakers to hold public hearings for his accusers.
First Lady breaks silence on Epstein allegations
Melania Trump categorically denied any involvement with Jeffrey Epstein during an unexpected statement at the White House on Thursday, calling claims linking her to the disgraced financier "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation."
She confirmed briefly crossing paths with Epstein in 2000 but insisted she had no knowledge of his crimes. "I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant," she said, adding that she never met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, beyond "casual correspondence."
Email surfaces amid denials
The First Lady referenced a 2002 email exchange with Maxwell, which she described as a "polite reply." The message, addressed to "G," included compliments about a New York Magazine article featuring Epstein and Maxwell. "Give me a call when you are back in NY," she wrote. "Have a great time! Love, Melania."
The same article quoted then-businessman Donald Trump praising Epstein as a "terrific guy" who enjoyed the company of "beautiful women... many of them on the younger side."
Call for congressional hearings
Melania Trump demanded lawmakers grant Epstein's survivors a platform to testify under oath. "Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes," she said, arguing that sworn testimony would "permanently enter the truth into the congressional record."
She cited recent resignations of business leaders over Epstein ties as evidence of the need for transparency, though she stressed that such associations "don't amount to guilt."
Mixed reactions from survivors
Epstein accuser Lisa Phillips called the First Lady's statement a "bold move" but questioned what concrete actions she would take. "What can you do to move this along?" Phillips asked, suggesting private hearings might better accommodate survivors bound by nondisclosure agreements or fear of retaliation.
"Survivors have done their part. Now it's time for those in power to do theirs."
Statement from Virginia Giuffre's family and other accusers
The family of Virginia Giuffre accused Melania Trump of deflecting responsibility, arguing that survivors had already demonstrated "extraordinary courage" by coming forward.
Political and legal fallout
House Oversight Committee Democrat Robert Garcia endorsed the call for hearings but urged Republican Chairman James Comer to act swiftly. The White House confirmed President Trump was unaware of his wife's statement beforehand.
The First Lady's remarks follow a series of legal battles, including a retracted book passage linking her to Epstein and an ongoing defamation dispute with author Michael Wolff. She vowed to continue defending her reputation, stating, "My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded lies with success."
Broader implications
The intervention reignites debate over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case and the release of investigative files. While President Trump has acknowledged knowing Epstein, he previously distanced himself, claiming he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club for being a "creep."
Melania Trump's rare public statement underscores her influence despite her typically low profile, with observers noting the timing and lack of prior notice from her office.
