US first lady Melania Trump on Thursday made a surprise statement denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender.
The 55-year-old’s rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband, US President Donald Trump.
“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.”
Photo: EPA
It was not clear why the Slovenian-born former model decided to give the public statement, and she did not detail any specific allegations about her and the late, convicted sex offender.
Melania and Donald Trump had previously been photographed with Epstein, but she said that she had met her husband independently two years prior to meeting Epstein.
“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” Melania Trump said.
She said “fake images and statements about Epstein and me” had been circulating on social media “for years now. Be cautious about what you believe: These images and stories are completely false.”
The first lady also urged the US Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors of Epstein’s abuse to “give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath.”
However, some Epstein survivors and their families, including the brother of Epstein’s main accuser, Virginia Giuffre, called the speech a “deflection of responsibility.”
First lady “Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under political conditions that protect those with power” including the [Donald] Trump administration, “which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” a joint statement posted on social media said.
Two of Epstein’s accusers, sisters Maria and Annie Farmer, in a separate statement said: “We can’t speak for other survivors, but what we want is accountability, transparency and justice.”
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