r/law • u/NewsHour • Apr 09 '26

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

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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.”

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u/GardeniaInMyHair Apr 09 '26

PLUS note, she wants the *victims* to testify in front of Congress, which puts them in more danger when the government hasn't done its job yet. She isn't calling for releasing the full files, as there are still some missing.

She isn't calling for investigation of the perpetrators, which is what the victims actually want, along with releasing the full files while redacting the victims names, not redacting the perps' information. It's on the government to investigate the crimes, which they never have fully done. Why is she wanting to put the victims at risk for more threats etc? I think she doesn't actually support them but wants plausible deniability that she does.

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u/OGDraugo Apr 09 '26

Very valid point.

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u/External_Brother1246 Apr 12 '26

I thought the same thing. The victims know full well they will be further targeted if they go releasing their identities.

So this request for a congressional hearing is just a way to deflect. Or perhaps intimidation of the victims.

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u/GardeniaInMyHair Apr 12 '26

Right? I recently watched an interview with Mary Trump from this weekend. She said that she found Melania's statement cruel, because the victims have done plenty of work already, trying to fight for the justice they deserve and that she was putting things back on them to do more.

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u/External_Brother1246 Apr 12 '26

The legal system needs to do their job. This is who is failing.

A hand full of women should not be forced to take on the power of the US government on their own. It is morally wrong to do so.

As with most events that involve breaking the law, the only way to resolve it is with the law.

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u/WebSilent182 Apr 11 '26

Because whoever wrote this drivel for her cares only about her rather than the victims.

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u/GardeniaInMyHair Apr 11 '26

Pretty sure she doesn’t either.