First lady Melania Trump took the unusual step of directly addressing conspiracy theories linking her to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, flatly denying any friendship with the convicted sex offender or involvement in his crimes.
Speaking from the White House, Trump characterized the claims as part of a coordinated smear campaign. "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," she said.
Trump acknowledged crossing paths with Epstein at a single event in 2000 that she attended with Donald Trump, but insisted he played no role in introducing her to her husband. "I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump," she stated plainly.
The first lady's public defense came after three major publishers issued apologies for publishing claims about her connection to Epstein, following legal action by her representatives. She has also previously taken steps to control the narrative around an email she sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, characterizing it as nothing more than "casual correspondence."
The White House address marks a notable turn for the administration, which has struggled for months to manage fallout from the release of thousands of Epstein-related documents. The materials, made public by federal authorities, have revived questions about the disgraced financier's connections to powerful figures.
Trump did not elaborate on the Maxwell correspondence during her remarks, nor did she take questions from reporters as she departed. She did, however, call for Epstein's victims to be given the opportunity to testify under oath before Congress, signaling support for legislative action related to the scandal.
The renewed focus on Epstein's network has triggered fresh scrutiny on Capitol Hill. This week, former Attorney General Pam Bondi faced criticism after defying a House subpoena requiring her appearance before a committee to discuss her role in handling the Epstein files.
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