Melania Trump: 'I never had a relationship with Epstein'
Watch the first lady's full statement from the White House as she addresses her links to the late sex offender.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"any claims linking the two need to end today."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"The lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice Maxwell."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at the New York City party in 1998."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Las mentiras que me vinculan con el despreciable Jeffrey Epstein deben terminar hoy mismo."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Nunca he sido amiga de Epstein."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Mis abogados y yo hemos combatido con éxito estas mentiras infundadas y sin base."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Hago un llamamiento al Congreso para que proporcione a las mujeres que han sido víctimas de Epstein una audiencia pública."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"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."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I met my husband, by chance, at a New York Party in 1998."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Now is the time for Congress to act."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I never had a relationship with Epstein."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein."
— Robert Garcia , Politician
"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I never been friends with Epstein."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I am not Epstein’s victim."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"I’ve 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 Trump , Celebrity
"I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a 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."
— Melania Trump , Celebrity
"First lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough. The lies must stop."
— Marc Beckman , Influencer
Key People
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Convicted sex offender linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender.
Marc Beckman is a senior adviser to Melania Trump.
First Lady of the United States known for her social initiatives.
Biographer of Donald Trump.
Pamela Bondi is a former Attorney General of Florida.
Robert Garcia is the lead Democrat on the congressional committee questioning Bill Gates.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Watch the first lady's full statement from the White House as she addresses her links to the late sex offender.
In a rare public address from the White House, First Lady Melania Trump firmly denied any personal or professional ties to Jeffrey Epstein, stating she was "never been friends with Epstein." This statement comes amidst ongoing scrutiny over the administration's handling of Epstein-related documents and President Trump's historical connections to Epstein.
In a public statement from the White House on April 9, 2026, First Lady Melania Trump vehemently denied any personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, responding to resurfaced allegations and recordings. The controversy stems from audio tapes in which Epstein allegedly claimed a close friendship with both Melania and Donald Trump, and even asserted that Melania's first intimate encounter with Trump occurred aboard his infamous private jet, the "Lolita Express."
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."
First Lady Melania Trump addresses controversy over a 2002 email to Ghislaine Maxwell, denying any personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and calling the email a trivial note.
First Lady Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and calls for Congress to hold hearings for Epstein's victims.
First Lady Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and calls for Congress to hold hearings for Epstein's victims in a rare public address.
First Lady Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, calling the claims 'defaming her reputation'. She also calls for a congressional hearing for survivors of Epstein's abuse.
Melania Trump, primera dama de EE. UU., ha negado rotundamente cualquier relación cercana con Jeffrey Epstein, afirmando que las acusaciones que la vinculan con el financiero condenado por delitos sexuales son falsas y difamatorias. En una sorpresiva declaración desde la Casa Blanca, Melania calificó como "mentiras infundadas" los rumores tras revelarse que intercambió correos con Epstein.
US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday made a surprise statement denying unspecified allegations about her and Jeffrey Epstein, a scandal that her husband President Donald Trump has long downplayed. The 55-year-old former model’s on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, with no explanation for why she would bring up the late sex offender Epstein now.
First Lady Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and calls for Congress to hold hearings for Epstein's victims in an unplanned address.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Trump says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to leave post
Leavitt will depart from her role to spend time with her young children and family, the president says.
August 12, 2026 at 10:58 PMTrump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered - Reuters
Trump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered Reuters
August 13, 2026 at 12:56 PMUK PM Burnham exchanged messages with White House imposter
Downing Street has declined to comment on the security breach, first reported by Politico.
August 17, 2026 at 11:20 AM'I can't be the best mum': US women in politics spark conversation on motherhood
The White House press secretary quit this week to be with her children, while Democrat Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez said she was freezing her eggs.
August 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM'I shot Mr Thompson'- What it was like inside court as Mangione pleaded guilty
It marked the first time a court had heard Mangione describe how he committed a crime that garnered worldwide attention.
August 14, 2026 at 06:54 PMUS Attorney General Blanche publicly backs Pirro after Trump criticism over Reflecting Pool - Reuters
US Attorney General Blanche publicly backs Pirro after Trump criticism over Reflecting Pool Reuters
August 16, 2026 at 07:43 PM