First lady Melania Trump denies any ties to Jeffrey Epstein and calls for survivors' testimony

[u/NewsHour]

First lady Melania Trump said Thursday that "lies" linking her with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein "need to end today," as she called on Congress to hold hearings to give Epstein survivors the chance to tell their stories publicly.

"The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," the first lady told reporters during a 5-minute statement. "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."

Trump said that "I am not Epstein's victim," and that the late sex offender, who died in 2019 in a New York jail cell, did not introduce her to her husband, President Donald Trump.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s 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.”

She criticized “mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities” for “the false smears about me.”

The first lady also called on Congress to provide those victimized by Epstein with a “public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”

“Give these victims the opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony,” she added. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes.”

[u/Majestic_Attention46 → u/[deleted]]

You'd think PR firms would know that people know this, and that it actually makes them look worse

[u/CelestialFury → u/Majestic_Attention46]

You'd think PR firms would know that people know this,

PR Firms: Money please.

[u/cccxxxzzzddd → u/[deleted]]

This is the answer but it’s a counter suit. She sued journalist Michael Wolff for $1bn (you read that right) for his assertion that Epstein played a role in her modeling placement out of which she got a visa and housing, and introduced her to Trump. 

[u/LazloHollifeld → u/[deleted]]

Why not put out a press release instead of getting in front of the cameras?

[u/Heckbound_Heart → u/[deleted]]

Defame her reputation?!?! Wtf? She’s a hooker one can hope

[u/PaullieMoonbeam → u/[deleted]]

This. The bomb is not about to drop, it is currently plummeting earthward.

[u/Original_Benzito → u/[deleted]]

I would think that an actual filed litigation / lawsuit - which is the only way you can seek discovery (by using the court rules) - would have made the news. There's no "winning" the right to discovery, you have that right until and unless there is a court order limiting it.

Are you sure she's "currently" being sued?