I’ll lay out how Melania Trump publicly pushed back against false ties to Jeffrey Epstein, called out media and individuals for defamatory claims, highlighted legal wins for retractions and apologies, urged Congress to hold sworn hearings for survivors, and included her full statement in full.
First Lady Melania Trump stepped into the spotlight to confront a narrative that has dogged her for years. She spoke with a serious, no-nonsense tone and made clear that she will not tolerate what she called defamatory attacks. Her focus was narrow and direct: clear the record about her interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and demand accountability from those who spread lies.
Melania explained that she and her husband occasionally crossed paths with Epstein due to overlapping social circles in New York City and Palm Beach, but she rejected any suggestion of friendship or intimate ties. She stressed that she never had a relationship with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell beyond a handful of casual social encounters and correspondence. The First Lady also disputed claims that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, saying she met her husband earlier and documented their first encounter in her book.
Her statement is unapologetic in tone and sharply critical of media and political operatives she says profit from smears. She said her legal team has been active and effective, forcing apologies and retractions from several parties. By naming those who were compelled to retract falsehoods, she aimed to show that false claims carry consequences when challenged with facts and law.
Beyond defending her own reputation, Melania pushed a policy ask: she called on Congress to create a formal forum for survivors of Epstein’s crimes to testify under oath. Her request was specific and procedural, emphasizing sworn testimony entered into the congressional record. She argued that public, sworn statements from victims are the clearest path to establishing the truth and moving beyond gossip and innuendo.
The First Lady painted a picture of years of false images and misleading posts circulating on social media, and she urged people to be cautious about what they accept as true. She asserted that her name has not appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews related to Epstein. That point underpinned her broader claim that the smear campaign is politically motivated and financially driven by outlets and individuals seeking attention or profit.
Melania made clear she is neither a witness nor a victim in any legal filings tied to Epstein, and she said she never traveled on Epstein’s plane or visited his private island. Those denials were framed as precise facts meant to dispel persistent rumors. By focusing on specific allegations people have repeated online, she attempted to neutralize the gossip with concrete, categorical statements.
She also emphasized legal victories, noting that “several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.” This naming aimed to show results from litigation or legal pressure, signaling that reputations can be defended successfully. The message was straightforward: false accusations have costs when challenged properly.
Melania’s call for congressional hearings shifted the conversation from accusation to process. She argued that hearings focused on survivors, with the authority of sworn testimony, would create a permanent record and give victims control over how their stories are told. That approach puts emphasis on transparency and procedure rather than on sensational headlines.
Her remarks also carried a political edge, criticizing those she said exploit these stories to attack the president and his family. From a Republican perspective, the aim was to push back against a media environment that often privileges scandal over careful inquiry. She framed her defense as part of a broader effort to insist on fairness and due process while advocating for survivors’ voices to be heard officially.
The First Lady concluded by reiterating that uncovering the truth requires openness, sworn testimony, and accountability for those who manufacture lies. Her presentation combined personal defense with a push for institutional action, inviting Congress to move beyond leaks and headlines to formal, recorded proceedings. The full statement she delivered is reproduced below in full, unedited, so readers can see her words directly.
Good afternoon.
The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempt to defame my reputation.
I’ve never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.
To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, [Ghislaine] Maxwell. My email that applied to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.
I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998. This initial encounter with my husband is documented in the details in my book, Melania.
The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.
Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false.
I’m not a witness or a named witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes. My name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews surrounding the Epstein matter.
I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.
I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein’s sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior.
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.
My attorneys and I have found these unfounded and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation. To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville, and Harper Collins UK.
Now is the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. Several prominent males executives that resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicized. Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.
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, will we have the truth.
Thank you.
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