Watch | Melania Trump Denies Links to Jeffrey Epstein, Calls Claims ‘Lies’
First lady of the US, Melania Trump has denied any links to Jeffrey Epstein, stating that the stories are false and clarifying that she has never had any relationship with him or his accomplice.
She told reporters at the White House that any claims linking the two "need to end today". It was unclear which specific accusations prompted her to respond publicly.
“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. I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice," she added.
That claim is undermined by the fact that the most well known images of the two couples together were taken at Trump’s own club, Mar-a-Lago, on 12 February 2000.
Why did Melania Trump call for congressional hearings in the Jeffrey Epstein case?
In a surprise announcement on Thursday, the first lady called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking.
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Backing her statement, she said that her name has never appeared in court documents, depositions, victim statements, or FBI interviews linking her to Epstein.
She also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation".
"Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now,” the US First Lady said.
“Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false. I am 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," she said.
US congressional leaders responded to the first lady’s call for sworn testimony in a public hearing from Epstein victims.
Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House committee on oversight, said, “We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. We encourage Chairman Comer to respond to the first lady’s request and schedule a public hearing immediately.”
There had been no prior indication from her office that she would make a statement on Epstein, and the White House did not share the topic earlier when her remarks were placed on its daily schedule.
Epstein, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the procurement of a minor, was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He died by suicide in prison weeks later while awaiting trial.
(With inputs from ANI)