First Lady Melania Trump addressed rumors linking her to Jeffrey Epstein during a rare White House speech on April 9, 2025. She denied any relationship with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, calling the claims defamatory lies that need to stop.
Key Takeaways
Melania Trump addressed rumors linking her to Jeffrey Epstein during a rare White House speech on April 9, 2025. She denied any relationship with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, calling the claims defamatory lies.
- Melania Trump stated she never had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
- She clarified that her emails to Ghislaine Maxwell were casual correspondence
- The first lady called for Congress to hold public hearings for Epstein's victims
- Several media outlets and individuals have apologized for linking her to Epstein
According to Reuters, Melania Trump stated she had never had a relationship with Epstein or Maxwell, and her emails to Maxwell were only casual correspondence. She mentioned that she and President Donald Trump were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time but denied any friendship.
The Guardian reported that Melania Trump met Epstein for the first time in 2000 at a party, describing their interactions as brief. According to BBC, she had not been a victim of Epstein, with whom she only briefly 'crossed paths' in 2000.
Fox News reported that Melania Trump's appearance was described as a 'statement' rather than a formal announcement. She mentioned that The Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK have publicly apologized for linking her to Jeffrey Epstein. CNBC added that she acknowledged writing a warm email to Ghislaine Maxwell on October 23, 2002.
The first lady's address was described as 'absolutely extraordinary' by Sky News' US correspondent Mark Stone. She called for Congress to give women victimized by Epstein a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors, according to Reuters. The address took place in the Grand Foyer of the White House, with Trump expressing her desire to put an end to the lies linking her with Epstein.
Sky News, Salon, and NPR reported that Melania Trump said she 'never had a relationship' with Jeffrey Epstein. She also stated that claims were defaming her reputation, according to Sky News. The first lady recalled meeting Epstein alongside Trump at an event in 2000, stating she had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.
The Guardian, CBS News, and Reuters reported that Melania Trump told reporters on Thursday that she 'never had a relationship' with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. She also mentioned crossing paths with Epstein briefly in 2000.
HuffPost, BBC, and The Guardian reported that Melania Trump called for Congress to hold a public hearing centered on survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. She demanded that each woman should have the opportunity to testify under oath and have their testimony entered into the congressional record.
Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and Sky News reported that Melania Trump denied any association with Jeffrey Epstein and called online accusations against her 'smears'. She stated that she and her attorneys have successfully fought unfounded lies about her.
UPI and CNBC reported that Melania Trump blasted false claims about her and Jeffrey Epstein, stating she was never involved in any capacity. She called on Congress to give women victimized by Epstein a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.
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