Melania Trump Doesn’t Know Who This Man Is

Melania Trump spoke to the press on April 9, claiming that she has never been “friends” with Jeffrey 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,” she stated. “To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell.” She criticized the “lies” and “numerous fake images and statements” about her association with Epstein. Trump named outlets like the Daily Beast but did not name specific reports during the press conference, and it’s unclear what motivated her to speak up now. She referenced a now-resurfaced email with Ghislaine Maxwell in which Trump praised a New York profile of Epstein, where her husband, Donald Trump, called him a “terrific guy.” She also claims that Epstein did not introduce her to Donald.

“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, the depositions, victim statements, or FBI in interviews surrounding the Epstein matter,” she added. “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.” She then asked Congress to listen to the survivors and to “permanently” include their testimony in the ​Congressional Record.