Jeffrey Epstein Introduced Melania to Donald Trump, First Lady Denies Claim

US First Lady and wife of President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, denied several claims, including online rumours that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein introduced her to Trump. Briefing to reporters at The White House that any claims connecting the two "need to end today."

The first lady called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking on Thursday, April 9. She termed rumours as "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation". The White House has not shared or hinted about the topic of Epstein on its daily schedule.

According to a BBC report, Melania said she had not been a victim of Epstein, with whom she only briefly "crossed paths" in 2000. "I have never had any knowledge of Epstein abuse of his victims," she said. "I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant."

She also denied knowing Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced financier's jailed associate. She gave reference to a 2002 email between her and Maxwell revealed in the Epstein files, calling it nothing more than "casual correspondence" and a "polite reply".

Also Read | "Images and stories are completely false": US First Lady Melania Trump denies Epstein links.

An email that appears to be the one she referenced is addressed to "G" - presumably for Ghislaine - and includes compliments about a story featuring "JE" with a photo of G that appeared in New York Magazine. She wrote that she "cannot wait" to go to Palm Beach. "Give me a call when you are back in NY," the email says. "Have a great time! Love, Melania"

"It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them on the younger side," the story quoted him saying. "No doubt about it - Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein. 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 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," Melania said in White House speech.

Melania Trump Full Speech

"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 tribal note," she added.

"I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at the New York City party in 1998," she denied online rumours that Epstein introduced Trump. "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 calculating on social media for years now. Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false," she said.

"I'm not a witness or a name 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 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. I have never been legally accused or convinced of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors, and other repulsive behavior," she said.

"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. (3:54) My attorneys and I have fought these unfound and baseless lies with success and will continue (4:02) to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation. (4:07) To date, several individuals and companies have been legally obligated to publicly apologize and retract their lies about me," she added.

With inputs from the BBC