By and JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT and NIKKI SCHWAB, CHIEF CAMPAIGN CORRESPONDENT
Published: | Updated:
Donald Trump has claimed he was blindsided by Melania's surprise White House address blasting 'smears' linking her to Jeffrey Epstein.
The President told MS Now he 'didn't know anything about' the First Lady's statement before she appeared on camera.
Trump added that 'she didn't know [Epstein]' before hanging up on the reporter.
Melania had earlier sent shockwaves through Washington with a surprise statement denying she was a victim of Epstein or that the pedophile financier had introduced her to her future husband.
The reason for the announcement was not immediately clear as there have not been any recent revelations or reporting linking Melania to Epstein.
'I am not Epstein's victim,' the First Lady said from the Cross Hall of the White House. 'Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998.'
Melania said that she had 'never been friends with Epstein' and also denied having any relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell after an email to the British socialite appeared in the files released by the Justice Department.
The First Lady, who was a model when she first met Trump, said she and the President encountered Epstein only within the New York-Palm Beach social set, calling such an overlap 'common'.
Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in February 2000
The First Lady said she was 'not Epstein's victim' as she made a surprise address from the White House
Melania added that the pedophile financier did not introduce her to Trump and insists she met her husband 'by chance at a New York City party in 1998'
Marc Beckman, the First Lady's exclusive senior advisor, told the Daily Mail: 'First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop.
'It is time for the public and media to focus on her incredible achievements as First Lady, the lives she has positively impacted, and her commitment to our nation.'
Trump and Melania met in 1998 at the Kit Kat Club in New York when she was 28-years-old before going on to marry in 2005. Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agency boss who is serving as Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, claims he introduced the pair to each other.
Melania appeared visibly nervous throughout the statement, trembling and looking down at her notes rather than into the camera. She took no questions before walking away from the podium.
The First Lady told the room she first met Epstein in 2000 and was unaware of anything untoward. He was not publicly accused until 2005.
Melania said she had seen 'fake images and statements' linking her to Epstein on social media for years, and urged viewers to 'be cautious about what you believe'.
She continued: 'These images and stories are completely false. I'm not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein's crimes.
'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.
'My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.'
In a surprising move, Melania called on Congress to hold hearings with victims of Epstein's abuse.
'I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors,' she added.
Melania noted that Epstein did not work alone and that several prominent male executives had resigned as the scandal grew increasingly politicized.
Trump and Epstein chat to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria's Secret party at Manhattan's Laura Belle club in April 1997
Maxwell attends a Theo Fennell party at the Cafe Royal, London, November 10, 1996
That did not amount to guilt, she said, but added: 'We still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth.'
Melania also addressed an email she sent Maxwell that was uncovered in the Epstein files in January, insisting her reply was merely polite and did not indicate a close relationship.
'My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note,' Melania said.
Buried in the tranche of more than three million Epstein Files is an email signed 'Love, Melania' that appears to be addressed to Maxwell.
The names of the sender and recipient are redacted in the October 23, 2002 email.
The message begins: 'Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.'
That week, New York Magazine ran a now-infamous story headlined: Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery.
The article featured a full-page color illustration of Epstein grinning alongside Bill Clinton in front of his private jet, as the actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker board the aircraft.
The piece included a photo of Maxwell with Epstein at a black-tie event, as well as a photo of Donald Trump and the financier chatting to Belgian supermodel Ingrid Seynhaeve at a Victoria's Secret party.
The email continues: 'I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!'
It is signed affectionately: 'Love, Melania.'
Epstein was found hanged in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy.
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 characterized 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 a 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, depositions, victim statements, or FBI 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. I 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's sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior. 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.
My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded 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 apologize and retract their lies about me, such as Daily Beast, James Carville and Harper Collins 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 politicized. 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 victimized by Epstein with the public hearing specifically centered 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.
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