Former First Lady Melania Trump has issued a strong denial regarding any association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, dismissing all allegations linking her to him as unequivocally “false.” In a significant move, she also urged Congress to organize public hearings where victims of Epstein’s abuse could testify under oath.

This forceful statement, released from the White House on Thursday, directly addressed the persistent rumors and speculation surrounding her and Epstein. It marked a clear effort by the First Lady to distance herself from the scandal.

First Lady Addresses Allegations

Melania Trump asserted that she never had any form of relationship with Epstein and possessed no prior knowledge of his criminal activities. She emphasized that her interactions were minimal and incidental.

“I never made friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time,” she clarified. The timing and nature of her statement have prompted discussions among political analysts and media outlets regarding its motivations and potential impact.

Clarifying Ghislaine Maxwell Communications

The First Lady also addressed past communications with Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein whose emails have emerged in documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. She described these email exchanges as “casual,” stressing that they did not signify any meaningful relationship.

Melania Trump further stated that she was not a witness, nor a crucial witness, in any legal proceedings or investigations related to Epstein’s criminal behavior. She unequivocally rejected what she termed “fake images” and various online narratives, insisting she did not meet the former president through Epstein and never visited Epstein’s private island.

Call for Public Hearings

Beyond her denials, Melania Trump called upon Congress to organize and conduct public hearings specifically for Epstein’s victims. She urged lawmakers to establish a platform that would allow survivors to testify publicly and under oath.

Her call to action underscored her conviction that every survivor deserves the opportunity to share their story and be heard. This multifaceted strategy combined clear refutations of false information with a direct appeal for victim testimonies.

Victim Response and Congressional Action

In response to the First Lady’s statement, survivors of Epstein’s abuse released their own statement. They acknowledged the immense courage of those who have come forward but expressed concerns that such actions could place an additional burden on survivors and potentially divert focus from holding powerful individuals accountable.

The survivors’ statement criticized the politicization of the situation, questioning if it could serve to shield powerful individuals and institutions perceived to have failed in delivering justice. Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee is actively investigating the federal government’s handling of cases involving both Epstein and Maxwell.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking member, publicly agreed with Melania Trump on the necessity of public hearings. He encouraged Chairman Comer to promptly respond to the First Lady’s request and schedule such a hearing, indicating some bipartisan consensus on this aspect.

Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial. Ghislaine Maxwell was subsequently convicted on related charges and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.