Melania Trump Denies Alleged Links to Jeffrey Epstein in Surprise White House Statement

President Trump said he did not know in advance about Melania Trump’s statement, in which she denied alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein and urged Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied US First Lady Melania Trump speaks in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday made a surprise statement denying unspecified allegations about her and Jeffrey Epstein, a scandal that her husband, President Donald Trump, has long downplayed. The 55-year-old first lady’s on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, with no explanation as to why she chose to raise the issue of the late sex offender now. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect.” The Slovenian-born first lady issued a categorical denial of any ties to Epstein, with whom she and her husband had previously been photographed on the New York social scene. She said that “fake images and statements about Epstein and me” had been circulating on social media “for years now.” “Be cautious about what you believe,” she said. “These images and stories are completely false.” Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges involving minors, but the scandal has repeatedly overshadowed Trump’s second presidency. “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,” Melania Trump said. “I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein, sex trafficking, abuse of minors, or any other repulsive behavior.” The first lady also urged Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors of Epstein’s abuse to “give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath.” In a brief phone call following her remarks, President Donald Trump told MS NOW that he had not known about the first lady’s statement ahead of time, adding that “she didn’t know [Epstein].” Several prominent business leaders have been forced to resign from their positions in recent months after new details emerged about their ties to Epstein — a fact that Melania Trump referenced in her remarks. “Of course, this doesn’t amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth,” she said. She did not take questions from reporters. In a statement published soon after she spoke, California Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said that “we agree with Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing.” He urged the committee’s chairman, Republican Representative James Comer, “to respond to the First Lady’s request and schedule a public hearing immediately.” The first lady’s statement is likely to reignite intense public debate over the handling of the Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein and the subsequent release of its files. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.