First lady Melania Trump surprised many when she released a statement denying any connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — including her husband, President Donald Trump.
Following Melania’s Thursday, April 9, statement to the press, MS NOW reported that they had a “brief phone call” with the president, 79, where he allegedly told the outlet he had no prior knowledge of his wife’s plans to speak out on the topic.
The publication alleged that “many” White House staffers were also “caught off guard” by Melania’s impromptu statement.
The president, however, backed up his wife’s claims about Epstein, telling MS NOW, “She didn’t know [him].”
Us Weekly has reached out to the White House for comment.
Melania, 55, addressed speculation that she met her husband through Epstein during a Thursday press conference, telling reporters, “[The rumors] with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.”
She continued, “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”
Melania claimed that she had “never been friends” with Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Prior to his death by suicide in 2019, Epstein was awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors.
When Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee in a closed deposition, she denied having any connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There was one alleged statement from the late billionaire, however, she didn’t take offense to — and it made everyone in the room laugh. “Mr. Epstein is commenting and he quotes, […]
Beginning in December 2025, the Department of Justice has been releasing Epstein’s alleged correspondence in the form of email exchanges, documents and more, which have been dubbed the Epstein Files as part of an FBI investigation into his actions.
Many A-listers have been named in these files, but Melania slammed the notion that she was one of them.
“Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been circulating on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false,” Melania said in her Thursday statement. “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.”
First Lady Melania Trump. Alex Wong/Getty Images
The first lady, who has been married to Donald Sr. since 2005, noted that although the couple were “invited to many of the same parties as Epstein” she wanted to make it “clear” that she “never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice [Ghislaine] Maxwell.”
Melania noted that she first “crossed paths” with Epstein in 2000 while attending an event with her husband. “At the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings,” she alleged.
Melania — who shares son Barron, 20, with the president — also acknowledged that she did receive an email once from Maxwell, 64, and replied with “a trivial note.” (Donald Sr. is also father to four older children from his past marriages to Ivana Trump and Marla Maples.)
Journalist Michael Wolff is accusing first lady Melania Trump of trying to block the publication of his upcoming tell-all book about her life and of stifling his “legitimate inquiry” into her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff, 72, who has published four books about President Donald Trump, alleges that Melania, 55, “deliberately and maliciously” interfered with […]
“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998,” she declared. “This initial encounter with my husband is documented in detail in my book, Melania.”
Melania concluded by claiming she was “never involved in any capacity” with Epstein or his alleged crimes.
“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein’s sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior,” she said. “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.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
