Melania Trump says claims linking her to Epstein 'need to stop' in rare White House address

Melania Trump says she "never had a relationship" with the disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

She criticised what she called "lies" linking her to the late sex offender in a surprise address filmed in the Grand Foyer of the White House.

The First Lady said the claims were "defaming her reputation".

"The lies ​linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end ​today," she said.

"I ⁠am not Epstein's ​victim," she added. She also called for a congressional hearing for survivors.

Mrs Trump also said she had never had a relationship with Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, with whom she said she had only a casual correspondence.

Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan cell in 2019, aged 66, facing sex trafficking charges.

Mrs Trump added: "I have never been friends with Epstein. Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time, since overlapping social circles is common in New York City.

"To be clear, I never had a relationship with ⁠Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell."

It is understood many of Mrs Trump's staffers gathered to watch the statement but that several of them did not know what she was going to say.

A reporter from MS Now posted on X that Mr Trump told the outlet he did not "know anything about" the First Lady's statement.

'Absolutely extraordinary'

Sky News' US correspondent Mark Stone called the address "absolutely extraordinary".

He said: "I can't think of a precedent for a First Lady making such a statement like this ever before.

"We knew she was going to make a statement but we had no idea what it would be about, and it was about an elephant that has been in the room for quite some time.

"There have been rumours that have been circulating for quite some time about an alleged relationship or acquaintance between Mrs Trump and Epstein. She has decided to get out ahead of those, and ahead of perhaps more that may come out.

"Some of what she has said and the tone in which she has said it suggests perhaps that she was getting ahead of stories that may yet emerge.

"And she wanted to make quite clear she had absolutely no relationship with Epstein, she said 'I am not Epstein's victim'."

Asked why she may have chosen this moment, Stone added: "It's a good question, and I don't know, but the tone in which she was speaking and the fact that she says numerous fake images had been circulating, then said 'be cautious about what you believe, these stories are completely false', there is perhaps some concern within the White House, within the administration, that more emails are due to emerge, which the White House believes may look as though they are implicating Mrs Trump."

Mrs Trump's statement in full

"Good afternoon. The lies linking me with the ‌disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. 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.

"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. To be clear, I never had ‌a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell.

"My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorised as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email ​doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note. 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. This initial encounter with my husband is documented ​in detail in my book Melania.

"The first time I crossed paths with Epstein was in the ⁠year 2000 at an event Donald and I attended together. At ⁠the time, I had never met Epstein and had no knowledge of his criminal undertakings.

"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. 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.

"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.

"I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein, sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behaviour.

"The false sneers 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.

"My attorneys and I have fought these unfound and baseless lies with success, ​and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.

"To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated ​to publicly apologise and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville and HarperCollins UK.

"Now is ⁠the time for Congress to act. Epstein was not alone. Several prominent male executives resigned from their powerful positions after this matter became widely politicised.

"Of course, this doesn't amount to guilt, but we still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.

"I call on Congress to provide ⁠the women who have been victimised by Epstein with a public hearing ​specifically centred around the survivors.

"Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power ​of sworn testimony.

"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, we will have the truth. Thank ​you."

(c) Sky News 2026: Melania Trump says claims linking her to Epstein 'need to stop' in rare White House address