Why is Melania Trump speaking out about Epstein now?

The first lady denied connections to the late convicted sex offender, telling reporters any claims linking the two "need to end".

The article centers on Paolo Zampolli, an Italian modeling agent and political figure with long-standing connections to the Trump family and the fashion world. Zampolli is credited with introducing Melania Knauss (now Melania Trump) to Donald Trump in 1998. His close involvement in elite circles of fashion, business, and politics has placed him at the crossroads of controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

First lady Melania Trump is denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his crimes, saying Thursday that the "stories are completely false" and calling online accusations that she was somehow involved "smears about me." She emphasized that her limited and polite interactions with Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell were mischaracterized and did not indicate any personal relationship.