Melania Trump Makes Rare White House Statement Denying Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

WASHINGTON – First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare public statement from the White House on April 9, 2026, forcefully denying any relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and calling for Congress to hold public hearings for his victims.

Speaking from the Grand Foyer, Melania Trump said the persistent rumors and stories linking her to Epstein are “completely false” and must stop.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she stated. “I have 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, Maxwell.”

She added that her occasional email correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell was nothing more than “casual” and should not be misinterpreted.

In the brief remarks, which lasted just a few minutes and included no questions from reporters, Melania Trump also urged Congress to act on behalf of Epstein’s victims.

“I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,” she said. “Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony.”

The statement comes amid renewed public discussion of the Epstein case following the release of additional documents and ongoing congressional scrutiny. It marks one of Melania Trump’s most significant public appearances of the second Trump administration.

White House officials described the remarks as a personal decision by the First Lady to directly address what she views as baseless smears. Some aides reportedly were not informed of the statement in advance.

No immediate reaction from the Trump administration or congressional leaders was available following the event. The First Lady’s office did not provide additional comment beyond the prepared remarks.