First Lady defies detractors, issues statement on Epstein

Mrs. Trump’s sudden statement about the late Jeffrey Epstein came as a huge surprise to many in the media, as the majority of the focus lately has been on the Iran War

by Summer Lane | April 10, 2026

First Lady Melania Trump’s statement on Thursday surprised the world – and perhaps, even the White House.

Emerging into the foyer in front of the press, Mrs. Trump, dressed impeccably in a gray jacket and skirt, read verbatim from a prepared statement addressing the late and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, beginning with an immediate refutation of any allegations concerning her link to him.

“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. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

The First Lady has threatened legal action against several entities over the past months since returning to the White House, concerning allegations or reports about her connection to Epstein or his accomplice and former lover, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Epstein saga has become quite a headache for the Trump administration. In February, the internet exploded with independent research as the Department of Justice finally published millions of Epstein-related documents linked to his case. Since then, many high-profile individuals have been linked to the files and Epstein’s network – for better or for worse.

“I am not Epstein’s victim,” Mrs. Trump said in her statement. “I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell. My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”

The First Lady was referring to a note included in the Epstein files drop – an alleged email reply she penned to Ms. Maxwell, dated to 2002.

Mrs. Trump further highlighted in her statement that she has never been involved in the Epstein investigation in any way, as a witness, in depositions, or even in a victim statement.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims,” she said. “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 also reiterated her longstanding story on how she met her husband, President Trump, in 1998, refuting any claims that she was introduced to the real estate mogul by Jeffrey Epstein.

And, in a surprising twist at the conclusion of her statement, Mrs. Trump called on Congress to allow victims of Epstein’s abuse to testify. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record. Then, and only then, will we have the truth,” she said.

This last segment of her statement was a bit of a curveball. The Trump administration and the president have long aimed for the Epstein narrative to be put to rest. Last year, President Trump called for the release of the full Epstein files simply to end the relentless news cycle.

Amid the war in Iran and a host of domestic problems, Mrs. Trump’s statement on Epstein was sudden and surprising, and immediately put the spotlight back on the Epstein scandal.

Reporter Jacqueline Alemany of MS Now said on Thursday that she had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump, and he told her that he did not know that his wife was going to be speaking about Epstein in her statement.

“He then repeated that he had to go, but before we hung up the phone, he said that she didn’t know him, presumably, referring to Jeffrey Epstein,” Alemany said.

To be clear, Mrs. Trump has never been accused of any wrongdoing of any kind in relation to the late Mr. Epstein. Other than a few stories floating around in the media about her alleged link to him – all unsubstantiated, as she has pointed out – it’s unclear why the First Lady felt compelled to issue such a heavy-hitting statement, seemingly out of the blue.

“We had no heads up on this. We’re not getting any information from them now, including whether or not the president was aware she would be making this statement,” said Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich. “It’s unclear to us if she is reacting to something that’s already happened, already come out, or getting ahead of a story that’s about to drop. We don’t really know.”